Barbara Elliott
"Blessed {happy} are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their HOPE and confidence."
Pastor Robert Ozment recently wrote in his Saturday Rome News-Tribune column "We will never find happiness until we realize that lasting happiness never comes from what you do for yourself. It is always the fruit we gather from doing something for someone else." 1 witnessed the truth of this statement through a special friend in Christ, Jan Boehm, from Southminster Presbyterian Church. We met eight years ago while serving on the Cherokee Presbytery PW Coordinating Team and became great friends. After the failure of seven difficult cancer treatments, Jan stopped all treatments and continued to live with confidence that God would guide her final days. She was a vibrant witness for Christ, even as she 'kissed the world goodbye and laughed on Glory's side.' Jan lived out the message of the Gospel of Matthew 6:19-33 - "do not worry about everyday life ...lay up for yourself heavenly treasure... Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also."
Jan believed with all her heart that she would inherit the Kingdom that God had prepared for her. She knew God loved her and it was her responsibility to share that love with others. Throughout her lifetime she volunteered with all sorts of groups, serving as mission coordinator for PW, a strong supporter of interfaith Church Women United, and a participating member of numerous local projects, food pantries and church camps. She never failed to speak out, using her powerful voice to advocate for the needs of the poor, the helpless and homeless, the disenfranchised and especially the mentally ill. She often would excuse her action before she spoke with the line that she was just a "damn Yankee from Pennsylvania", but all knew she spoke from her heart for the concerns of others who had no voice.
Jan was in tremendous pain during her final months of life, but she never complained. She wrote me that she welcomed this pain because it brought her closer to Christ; helping her to understand the pain He endured for us on the cross. She truly was a blessed woman for she totally trusted God and made Him her absolute hope and confidence in life and in death. She believed as Apostle Paul did that "Nothing can separate us from the love of God .... not death nor life, nor angels or demons, not fears for today or worries for tomorrow, not even the power of hell, or powers in the sky or earth below.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39) It is with joy that I now picture my friend in heaven with God, totally restored and living as a New Creation, surrounded by loving family members and fellow saints. Thanks be to God for His promise to all of us who place our HOPE in Him!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Guide our steps each day to draw us closer to You, and help us to trust with hope and confidence that we belong to You. Amen.
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