It was one of those times when I was reminded of how blessed I am to get to do what I do. I was visiting with a lady whose health was failing. It didn’t look like her time on this earth was going to be much longer and she knew it. She also knew where she was going and what was coming next. She had faith in Jesus who died on the cross for her sins and rose again from the dead. She had received His gift of life eternal.

I read from the Bible some of God’s promises about heaven. “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4). Even though she had some pain and difficulty breathing, her eyes lit up as she looked forward to what God had promised.

We prayed and she asked me to read some more. I read some of what Jesus said before He went to the cross: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms … I am going there to prepare a place for you … I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3). The thought of being with Jesus and having her long-held hopes realized gave her a spark that her suffering couldn’t extinguish.

We prayed again and then sat together in silence for a bit. She repeated the word eternal. I felt like a privileged spectator who was getting to watch God at work giving comfort and assurance. I was given a front-row seat and a chance to watch God walk with one of His children through the valley of the shadow of death. I got another opportunity to see how God can calm fears and give peace.

This all happened on the anniversary of the day that my mom went home to be with the Lord 21 years earlier. When I got to the car the first song on the radio was “Home” by Chris Tomlin. “All this pain, all this suffering; there’s a better place waiting for me in heaven. Every tear will be wiped away. Every sorrow and sin erased. We’ll dance on seas of amazing grace – in heaven. I’m going home.”

One day the tears will be wiped away. One day the pain and sorrow will be no more. One day we’ll be home.