"And he...showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God...
and the city was of pure gold, like clear glass."
Revelation 21:10a,18b
Elida had been battling cancer for about five years. Her sisters cared for her and loved her through the ravages of her disease. A close knit family, the battle was hard for all. I met Elida for the first time when the cancer was already well advanced. Her sister Lili, who lives in my city, was caring for her. I visited and prayed for her briefly but didn´t stay long because she tired quickly. Although Lili and her sisters begged Elida to stay with them, she was eager to get to her own home in a small town about for hours away.
Lili and sister Letty made several trips back and forth to visit her. However, the disease continued to take its toll in spite of the fervent prayers of her family.
Finally my schedule allowed me to go with Lili and Letty to visit Elida. Our friend Carmen and her husband also accompanied us. We arrived at Elida´s home about 12:30 in the afternoon and went straight into her room to pray for her. She was extremely thin and her skin was oh so cold. She could not speak but seemed to recognize Lily and Letty. She had not eaten in several days. Many people were there, sisters, aunts, in-laws and friends. Carmen prayed with all her heart for God´s mercy and His restoration and preservation of Elida´s life. I prayed silently for God´s mercy, strength and comfort, and the ability to trust that His ways are best.
We were called to eat and I slipped out of the room, leaving Elida surrounded by loving family. The Lord had laid it on my heart to just to read Scripture to her. He had reminded me of several passages that would comfort and encourage. After eating I had an opportunity to return to her bedside. I pulled out my little pocket Testament and began by reading Psalm 91, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty..." Psalm 23, the beloved psalm which bring such peace and comfort, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
Her oldest sister, Lupita, was at the head of Elida´s bed and suggested several passages to read.
I Thessalonians 4,"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout with the voices of an archangel....And the dead in Christ will rise first....And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
I Corinthians 15:20,"But now, Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep....(v.25) the last enemy to be destroyed is death." (Hallelujah, how we long for that day!)
I had been reading for about 20 minutes when Lupita asked me to read Revelation 21. By now family members and friends again had gathered in the room listening, and praying silently or in a soft murmur. I prayed too, that Elida would hear and understand the words, allowing her blessed Savior to comfort and encourage her that she would soon be in His presence. I knew she loved Him and had served Him faithfully. Later, I found out how large her heart and home were when they told me that Elida not only raised three children of her own, but had also adopted and loved four others.
"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Then I, John, saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God...Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4)
My heart ached for this dear saint who had suffered so much pain these last years. I continued reading the chapter and was stuck when by verse 18, "..and the city was of pure gold, like clear glass:" Mostly I read without comment, allowing God to speak. However, when I read about the city of gold I said, "Just think, Elida. We always hear about the streets of gold, but the city itself is pure gold! Are your ready to walk with Jesus in the city of gold?"
Elida made no response. I continued on to Revelation chapter 22, sensing that the end was very near. I dared not look to see if she was still breathing.
"He who says these things says, ¨Surely I am coming quickly.¨ Amen. Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
I looked up and realized it was over. Elida had breathed her last breath on this earth. Her sisters felt her pulse and closed her eyes as they wept. Elida´s painful journey through this life was finally over and she was at peace. I quietly sneaked out of the room, leaving the family to grieve privately. I was in awe; her going was so quiet, barely discernible. At what moment had she left us? All I knew was that Elida was rejoicing at Jesus´ side because, "We are confident...to be absent form the body and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:6)
I walked slowly down to the river where Carmen and her husband were sitting and told them that Elida was gone. We talked softly for a few moments as the current sped by around and over the rocks, reminding us how quickly life passes. We walked back to the house to be with the family. We stayed that night and the next day for the service and when they took what remained of Elida´s frail body to be buried. How hard it is to be separated from one who means so much to us!
Carmen, her husband and I returned to our city later that day after the burial. We were thankful to arrive safely home and be able to continue with our lives, praising God for His faithfulness as we continued to pray His comfort for our beloved friends. The next day I read in my devotional book,
"E´en for the dead I will not bind my soul to grief,
Death cannot long divide.
For is it not as though the rose that climbed m garden wall
Has blossomed on the other side?
Death doth hide,
But not divide,
Thou art but on Christ´s other side!
Thou art with Christ, and Christ with me;
In Christ united still we are."
(p. 346, Streams in the Desert, vol 1, Mrs. Charles E. Cowman)
Rest in peace, our precious Elida, we will soon see you on the other side!
