Esther

This week.. on July 3, 2009, Esther Boyalapalli went Home to be with Jesus.

Many of you have been praying for her battle with cancer.. the Lord in His goodness chose to take her to be with Him.  Please uphold her dear family and loved ones in prayer.  This cannot be a “pleasant” road to walk down even with the strongest of faiths.  So, whenever you get the chance.. please say a line for them..

Our loss.. Heaven’s gain of Esther.. had me do some serious self-examination.  I needed to share this small excerpt written by her family this week:

“Esther has been in hospice for almost two weeks now.  During the first days at hospice, Esther was very responsive and awake, but in the last few days her eyes have been closed most of the time.  She is currently on high and increasing dosages of painkillers as the doctors are now only focusing on keeping her comfort levels high and not as concerned about sustaining her life for a long time.  Esther’s respiration cycles (breathing) have been much fewer and far between over the last few days.  Doctors have said she is definitely in her last days and she is making the transition to the next life- withdrawing, slower breathing, fluid retention in the lungs, unresponsive, etc.  Although her eyes are mostly closed, Esther can hear and seems very much peaceful where she is now, and seems to be aware of what is happening- that her time on earth is nearing to an end. This morning as we had some time to talk with her, we were mentioning to her about the promise from God that “No eye has ever seen, no ear has heard what God has prepared for those who love Him” and with her eyes still closed, she smiled and happily nodded with confidence.”

Sorry, I forgot to warn you to grab a box of Kleenex.  After reading this line, I examined my heart.. “and with her eyes still closed, she smiled and happily nodded with confidence.”  That is a girl who knows that her purpose on Earth has been fulfilled and the anticipation to see Jesus is well worth the wait – no fear in her being.  How amazing is this friends!?  There have been many losses this month – Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, the list goes on and on.  One thing that doesn’t shift is this – no matter the name or fame, we will all have to encounter God, in all of His glory.  We will never have control over the fact that we must see God one day.  For some, this is an absolutely amazing thing .. for others, this makes you uneasy.

My desire is that I would have the same confidence as Esther in knowing that my purpose here on Earth has been fulfilled in every way possible.. that as my life decreased, the Lord’s increased.   I anticipate the things He has in store for me.  Like Esther, I want to stomp on the enemy’s head as peace & joy encompass my innermost on my “death bed.”  More than anything in the world, I desire to please Him and to make Him known while I breathe.. everyday.  Feel free to hold me accountable to this statement.. considering it is a heavy statement I made and I don’t take it lightly.

“No eye has ever seen, no ear has heard what God has prepared for those who love Him” - one word: HEAVEN.  May we walk this road on earth faithfully, in a way that is worthy of this undeserved reward.  *smiles*  ..I desire to see Him for who He really is.. one day.

Hey.. let me close with this.. I actually never do this.. but it’s definitely worth the attempt.. if you do not personally know Jesus as Savior and if there is a restlessness in you to know more about who He is please, feel free to send me an email at sheraby248@gmail.com.  I would LOVE to share with you more about who He is.  I want you to have the same peace and confidence about Heaven.. knowing you will be there.. with Jesus one day.  There should be no fear in death.  As a true Christian, the moment we close our eyes physically is the moment the Lord will open up our spiritual eyes to see Him for who He really is – absent with the body is present with the Lord.  There is so much joy in that statement.  I can’t wait.  But yah, please please email me if you have any questions, doubts, or fears about Jesus.. salvation.. the Cross.. etc.

I love you guys.