GOD'S SAVING GRACE

January 22, 2008 was a bittersweet day in the lives of our family, since it was the day that the mother-in-law of my younger brother Wallace died, but it was also the day that she went to be with the Lord. Mrs. Edna Aiken was 82 years old and had been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in March 2007 and her Doctor told her she could live between 9-24 months. She had smoked for many years but had stopped smoking in the year 2000. Anyone who knows a little about lung cancer knows that small cell lung cancer is a very aggressive cancer, and her chance of long time survival was not very good.

The last time that my wife Dianne and I went to see her was at Treyburn convalescent center in Durham NC in December 2007 over the Christmas holidays; the month before she passed. She was at that time confined to the bed because it was becoming very difficult for her to breathe with any exerted efforts, even with being hooked up to oxygen. I remember Dianne telling me about someone in the room asked Mrs. Aiken about her hair and I paraphrase "Your hair looks really good, who fixed it for you"; and Mrs. Aiken wittingly replied, "Chemo". Even with her deteriorating condition, she had such a beautiful smile and was so sweet, although her breathing was laboured and her body was weakening.

I believe the reason she continued to smile was because Mrs. Aiken accepted Jesus Christ as her Saviour in year 2007, and she knew where was going to spend eternity. Oh what a joy to know where her home is now, and that she has eternal life with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Mrs. Aiken funeral was held on January 22nd in Raleigh NC, and her good friend Pastor Westbrook preached at her funeral. Mr. Westbrook had known Mrs. Aiken and her best friend Doris for many years, since they both used to frequently vacation at White Lake.

As we get older and our parents and grandparents get sick, it makes me appreciate more the love that Jesus Christ had for us, that he would give his life and die for our sins so that we could have remission of our sins and as a Christian we know we will be able to spend eternity with him. John 3:15 states that "everyone" who believes in him shall have eternal life. And for those who have eternal life; we read in Psalms 49:15 - But God will redemn my soul from the grave, he will surely take me to himself. What a comforting thought. God bless.