A Special Tribute

I would like to thank everyone who reached out to comfort and encourage me at the passing through the portals to heaven of my precious wife of thirty-five and a half years, Barbara. She went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ just after 2:00am on Wednesday, February 6 and was laid to rest in the Aurora Cemetery, Aurora, Nebraska on Wednesday, February 13, following services on Tuesday, February 12 in Stuart, Iowa.

She was greatly loved as seen from all the gracious words that people shared with me and our son, Tim. To quote a few such comments: "Her kindness and love was shown to all of us and she was a living testimony of her deep love for the Lord. Barbara spoke of His faithfulness, love, mercy, and grace to encourage all she came in contact with." "Barbara was a blessing and an inspiration to all of us." "To the end of her life she thought of others, prayed fervently for others, sending cards and making phone calls." "Barbara's life was a life well lived and we thank the Lord for her."

Others added: "Barb was beautiful inside and out!" "Barb was a very special, compassionate and inspiring person. She will be greatly missed." "I'm thankful I got to know Barb. She was so much an example of trusting and resting in the Lord." "We will miss her humor and love for the Lord."

Another commented: "A very special lady has left this earth. We will miss her so much—a very special pastor's wife!" And another: "Barbara was sooo special." And yet another: "She was a special person—one who is definitely going to hear from the Lord, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"

Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Barb was used mightily of the Lord throughout her life of faith, but especially so in these last days as she suffered with various illnesses and battles with cancer. Even when first informed of having terminal cancer and perhaps only months to live, all she could do was to testify of the Lord, and the doctor's need of Christ. To the end, the Lord Jesus was her sole focus.

Peter adds: "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7). Such was the life and testimony of Barbara. Throughout her times of suffering, the genuineness of her faith was proven and "praise, honor, and glory" was given to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May that be said of our lives!

As another dear friend of her's wrote: "Barbara was a true friend and the ultimate caregiver! She was a true example of how God wants us to be. She will be missed!" May we all so serve the Lord. Amen.