My little brother

Last night just before midnight, my "little" brother, Gregory, went to meet Jesus.  My family are Firm believers in Jesus Christ as the Son of God made flesh.  We also believe that Christ was crucified as a sacrifice for our sins and that he took away our eternal punishment by dying on the cross himself, and that He was raised to life again through the power of God, and that One Day the same will happen to us and all those who die before Christ returns again.  In other words, I know that physical death is not the end of my little brother and that I shall see him again.   Greg battled cancer for nearly 2 years and for awhile he was in remission.  Only last Tuesday, after finding out the month before, that they didn't expect that he would live another 6 months, he was admitted to the hospital where he died a week later.  He was a good man with a wife and 2 children, and he lived for Jesus.  He didn't understand why he had the cancer he had but, he didn't blame God or turn his back on Him.  Greg said that there was a reason and that God would use it for His purpose.   His final week was filled with physical pain which was greatly alleviated by the pain-killers that he needed to take just to get through the days and the nights, but through it all, he remained cheerful and with a smile on his face, because he believed that whatever God had decided for him would be the Best and if he was able to survive the cancer, he would be happy but if not, he could die happy because he knew that This life was not the Only Life.  I believe this too as does all of my family.  I weep and grieve for my beloved little brother but I can rejoice and thank God that because Christ was raised from the dead, one day I will be too, and so will anyone who puts their faith and trust in Him.  So truly, though right now, my heart is breaking over and over, I can still with confidence say to anyone who reads this that whatever happens to us, whatever pain and grief we have to go through, whatever situation seems hopeless and unfair, God can comfort and sustain you, God can encourage and keep you and give you hope, God can save you because He loves you, because GOD IS GOOD.

elizabeth