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Last April Great Grandma Thomson went home to be with the Lord.  After a long, fruitful life she cast aside her 99 year old body to receive a new and perfect body. Having spent my whole life in her presence and influenced by her godly ways, I was privileged to be by her side when her soul left this world and entered the presence of the Lord.  One of the thoughts that went through my mind when her hand went limp and I knew she was gone was, "DEATH, YOU DO NOT WIN!"  Why would I think that at the moment of her departing? It was because I had memorized today's verse and God brought it to my mind in my sadness.

You may be wondering why I chose this verse.  It seems like a normal conversation that we might have with friends or acquaintances on a regular basis, but there is something much more here. Listen to the story behind it.

Have you ever wondered why you can’t seem to connect with God? You believe that God is real but when you try to talk to Him it seems your prayers never go farther than the ceiling. If this is the case then maybe you need to check your connection.

Yesterday Abigail and I went to the eye doctor.  Both of us have been having some blurred vision and needed to get our prescriptions updated.  Sorry to say, I have now entered the world of bifocals.  This verse came to mind as I was lamenting my introduction to the annoyances of being in my late 40s. Even in my frustration, I decided I do not want to go back to a younger me.  Over the years I have grown closer to God and have developed a deeper relationship with Him that I would never want to give up.  As my earthly eyes have diminished, my heavenly vision has been strengthened. Dealing with any problem here, no matter how painful, is insignificant when we focus our eyes on Christ and eternity.  Earthly trials will only last for a short time whereas for Christians our future with the LORD in heaven is forever.

During my childhood and teen years, I spent many delightful weeks each summer at a camp in Halstead, PA. All year long I would look forward to returning to this peaceful haven where I enjoyed Christian friends as well as God’s beautiful creation. Camp Iroquoina was located down a long, windy, and dusty road nestled in the Pocono Mountains. My time there shaped my life in more ways than one.

Looking through my photos the other day I found a picture I had taken a few summers ago. I snapped it because it was so unusual. On our side porch where the concrete pad meets the brick wall a petunia plant had grown up and blossomed with vibrant pink flowers. This beautiful gift from God had sprung up from a crack in the barren, dead concrete.