LIZ

Liz was mom’s best friend. I knew her from the tennis club where I worked after school and on weekends. She used to take time to chat as peers, which earned her high marks with me.

The late ’60s saw me morph from a conservative, shy, middle-class Jewish kid into a searching and very intense “dropped out” hippie. On one of my quests to find meaning in life, I visited all those I felt had influenced me for good. Of course, this included Liz.

When I knocked on their door unannounced, she and her husband, “Big John,” received this wild-eyed, ragged acquaintance without prejudice, and listened as I presented them with all my far-out theories and ideas. If they rolled their eyes or winked at each other, I didn’t notice.

Thankfully, I eventually found what I was searching for. A close friend told me he had received Jesus as his Savior, and, after reading the Gospel of Matthew, I did likewise, eventually deciding to join a mission to the youth in New Zealand and Australia. As I made preparations, I heard that Liz was suffering from the latter stages of Parkinson’s disease and was not expected to live much longer. My mother and I arranged to visit.

Lying on her chaise longue, with her husband and mother attending, a very frail Liz asked me about what had transpired in my life since our last meeting. She was amazed that someone could change so much in such a short time—from “nice” young man to bizarre hippie to Christian volunteer on his way overseas.

Before leaving, I asked Liz if she would like to say a short prayer with me, and after what seemed like a long period of silence, she agreed. Kneeling beside her, I took her hand and we closed our eyes. First, I felt my mother’s hand join ours, then Liz’s mom’s, and finally Big John’s. All of them repeated the simple salvation prayer inviting Jesus into their hearts.

Liz lived for several more months, during which time she avidly read her Bible and was full of joy and faith. She was an accomplished artist, and continued painting right up to the end. The proceeds of some of her final work helped establish volunteer outreaches that continue to this day, over 38 years later!

Heaven is a place populated by those who accept Jesus’ invitation. I’m looking forward to seeing you there, Liz!

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Revelation 21:4 ESV / He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

John 14:2 ESV / In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV / But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—