In Memory of Sara Reid

As most have heard, sjreid has passed on to be our heavenly Father very recently.  I thought it appropriate to reflect on this, our lives as believers and others grieving the loss.  As you know, we all eventually will lose loved ones close to us.  I hope this encourages you in the Lord as we acknowledge the loss and celebrate the home going of our beloved sister in Christ.
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-answers/dealing-with-death-of-loved-one.htm
The death of a loved one is heartbreaking. And each bereavement has its special set of sorrows and other strong emotions. There is the sorrow that comes suddenly and shockingly with an unexpected death, and there is the long sorrow of gradually losing someone during a terminal illness. The untimely death of a child is especially devastating.
Consider a man and wife who have had a long and loving marriage. As God told Adam and Eve, they have become "one flesh." When one dies, the surviving spouse usually feels forsaken, empty, lonely and torn in two. And, of course, similar feelings are evoked when any loved one dies.
When you love someone, you become vulnerable to the sorrow that comes from losing that person. But love is all-important, and God doesn't want us to hold back on loving people to avoid future grief. The Bible also makes it clear that our grief will be temporary, while our joy will be forever! The Bible gives us the hope of a fabulous future when we will be reunited with our loved ones!
Dealing With the Death of a Loved One
Here we'll study what the Bible reveals about death, about God's promise of life after death, how to comfort one another and how to obtain God's gift of comfort and peace.
Don Hooser, a minister in Washington, relates this story about his family:
"In 1952, when I was 11, my brother Roddy died. At age 3½, he was a super cute and lovable kid. Our family was devastated. No one close to me had ever died (except my beloved pet dog). It felt like the end of the world. Today I still choke up when I talk about Roddy.
"Over the years, I have often reflected on how God used Roddy's death to work together for much good (Romans 8:28).
"The most profound effect on our family was a greater seriousness about God and the Bible. Even though I didn't stay serious throughout my teen years, always in the back of my mind was the thought: 'I've got to do whatever it takes to see Roddy again.' I know that thought was a major factor in making me, at age 21, receptive to God's calling.
"After that I introduced my three brothers to God's truth, which led to them, one by one, coming into God's Church. Since then we brothers have been blessed with marriage and children, so the knowledge of God's wonderful truth is being passed on to children and grandchildren. Roddy's death has had a profound, far-reaching effect."
Hope and Comfort
Let's go straight to the most comforting truth in all the Bible—God's revelation regarding the resurrections from the dead! The Bible says that at the return of Jesus Christ, everyone who has been a faithful follower of Him will be raised in the "first resurrection" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:6).
What is the primary way that the Bible portrays death?
John 11:11
He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up."
John goes on to relate how Jesus raised Lazarus from death to life (John 11:12-45). In the Bible, death is often referred to as sleep—a total lack of consciousness (Psalm 13:3; Ecclesiastes 9:5). The beautiful metaphor of sleep emphasizes the fact that the first death is temporary and that everyone who dies will be awakened! This understanding of death is much more comforting than all the unbiblical and erroneous ideas about death.
When someone dies, family and friends often suffer with regrets and feelings of guilt about things they had said or done, or things they neglected to say or do. But God doesn't want us to beat ourselves up about the past. He wants us to repent of our sins and look forward to our reunion in the next life with our loved ones.
Does the Bible portray death as an enemy?
1 Corinthians 15:22, 26
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive…
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
God created us with a kind of instinct for self-preservation, and the Bible portrays death as our enemy. But after the return of Christ, "death [will be] swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:54).
A person who is close to God can, in one sense, look forward to death, as Paul did (Philippians 1:21-24). But what he or she is really looking forward to is not death itself, but waking up with a new spirit body in God's Kingdom!
What does the Bible say about grieving over the death of a loved one?
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

It's normal and healthy to grieve when we lose the companionship of a loved one. Those who repress grief rather than expressing it suffer more emotional problems in the long run. But healthy grieving depends on facing the reality of death. In today's humanistic culture that is obsessed with prolonging human life, many people avoid preparing for death or even discussing this topic. Feeling it is taboo to even say the word "died," people will use a euphemism like "passed." Denying death makes it harder for people to grieve and support one another and heal.
Those who truly understand the Bible feel and express grief, not fear and despair; their hope and faith give them great comfort. The apostle Paul, right after explaining about the promise of the resurrection, said, "Therefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
(During a time of grief, please avoid two common and serious mistakes: Don't try to "drown your sorrows" with alcohol or drugs. And don't neglect your sleep and good nutrition. Getting sick will only greatly add to your stress.)
Is God pleased with reminiscing, crying and laughing?
Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
John 11 tells the story of Lazarus's death and resurrection. Notice that not only did Jesus not criticize the family and friends of Lazarus for weeping, He also wept (John 11:35). The Bible teaches us to sympathize and empathize with others who are grieving. After someone's death, it is important for loved ones and friends to spend time together and to reminisce and talk about their precious memories—memories that bring forth warm reflection, tears and laughter. When someone wants to talk about a deceased loved one, be an attentive listener. Don't change the subject.
How do our trials and sorrows prepare us to help others?
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Our trials benefit us if we learn compassion for others, and the comfort we receive should teach us how to give comfort. We especially mustn't overlook the needs of children or hide death from them. After a death, they often don't know what to think and say, what questions to ask or how to express their emotions. They need understanding, comfort and reassurance and need to be filled with love, security and hope. They need to be with family, sharing in the discussions, grieving and healing.
What are some ways I can help others during their time of sorrow?

1 John 3:16, 18 (Good News Translation)
This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others!... My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.
Words of comfort have a powerful healing effect, but more than words is needed. Remember that the family of someone who has just died is faced with innumerable decisions and arrangements in addition to daily chores. It is frustrating and depressing to lose a loved one and hardly have time to think because you are frantically rushing from one responsibility to the next. So it can be helpful to offer specific help to families in mourning. And if you are in mourning, be willing to gratefully accept offers of help.
What spiritual lessons can we learn from life's losses and sorrows?
Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 (New International Version)
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
Everyone needs times to laugh and dance, but we also need times to weep and mourn (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Spiritual growth takes place more in difficult times than in easy times. When a loved one dies, it's a valuable time to reflect on your own mortality and your relationship with God. It has been said, "An open casket can be worth a thousand sermons." Some people avoid funerals and avoid visiting people in hospitals and nursing homes because these situations make them feel uncomfortable and unhappy. But to be a healer, you must go where people are hurting. If you do, your unselfishness will help you mature and grow.
What is the greatest source of understanding and comfort?
Psalm 147:3
[God] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Romans 15:4
For whatever things were written before [in the Bible] were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
God is that Source! Our Creator knows our hearts and always knows best how to help us. All the answers to life's questions are in His Bible. When we are grief-stricken, if we will talk to God and read His Word, we will experience great comfort, hope and healing. Prayer and Bible study are the two things we need to do every day of our lives.

Will suffering and sorrow come to an end?
Revelation 21:4
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Not only will families be reunited, but we'll all be in one big happy family—the family of God! And that family will live forever—with no more death, sorrow or crying!
Apply Now
As we learned in Ecclesiastes 7, when you think of someone else's death, it's an important time to think about your own life and inevitable death. As Ecclesiastes 9:12 says, "Man also does not know his time"—we don't know in advance when death will come. Therefore, it behooves us to get prepared and stay prepared (2 Peter 3:11).
How about starting right now by making a simple list of things you need to do in the very near future? If you haven't made a will and left instructions for your family, be sure to include those points. If you haven't told family and friends often enough that you love them, write that down. And if you need to get right with God, be sure to include that on your list. Set realistic deadlines to tackle the items on your list.
On a personal note:  We all know as believers we will share eternity with our sister in Christ, sj.  Please keep in mind that we all grieve differently.  Some more private, some more tears…some are just trying to process the reality.
Now, I would like to share the following::
Prayers Of Hope In Times Of Calamity
http://wchimereflections.blogspot.com/2009/09/prayers-of-hope-in-times-of-calamity.html
By Cynthia Hyle Bezek
Tragedies come in all sizes and forms. They range from malicious, premeditated tragedies (like a large-scale terrorist attack or violent murder) to unavoidable but equally devastating tragedies that affect communities or individuals (such as fires and floods, cancer and car wrecks). Naturally, how you pray will depend on the specific crisis. There are, however, some common denominators that apply to any calamity. Hurting people need hope; they need an eternal perspective; they need others to reach out and care for them; they need to reach out to the Father and trust Him. As you pray for the people involved in a calamity or crisis, adapt these Scripture-based prayers as the Holy Spirit leads.

1. Dear Lord, if these hurting people have not called on You before, may they begin calling on your name right now; may they find You to be their refuge and strength, an ever-present help in their time of trouble. (Gen. 4:26; Ps. 46:1)

2. Lord of heaven and earth, encourage these friends to seek You, reach out to You, and find You because You are not far from them. Give them hope that You are with them so that the waters they are passing through will not sweep them away, and the fire they are walking through will not burn them. (Acts 17:27; Is. 43:2)

3. Living Word, make Your Word come alive to those who suffer. When their souls are weary with sorrow, strengthen them according to Your Word. Give them longing for Your precepts, and preserve their lives by them. Comfort them with Your promises. Use this affliction to bring them near to Your ways. Sustain them according to Your promise, and do not let their hopes be dashed. Give them a love for Your law, Lord, so they will have great peace and nothing will cause them to stumble. (Ps. 119: 28,40,50,67,116,165)

4. God of peace and unity, bind affected families together in love. When one member is weak, fill the others with strength and compassion so that the one who falls will have someone to pick him up. Help them not to lose patience with each other, attack each other, or in any other way be separated by these tragic circumstances; instead, knit them together in love and strength. (Eccl. 4:9-12; Mt. 19:6)

5. Loving Father, draw the children involved in this tragedy to Yourself. Let them come to You without hindrance. Strip away any foothold in their lives that Satan may try to gain through this tragedy. Rather, use it to refine their faith in You. (Mt. 19:13-14; Lk. 17:1-2; Eph. 1:27; 1 Pet. 1:6-7)

6. Stir Your body to action, Lord Jesus. Surround these hurting people with those who will minister to them. Send believers who will offer food, visits, and other ministry in Your Name. Prompt Your people to reach out and offer the comfort they themselves have received from You. Give them opportunities to share the reason for the hope they have. (Mt. 25:37-40; 2 Cor. 1:3-4; 1 Pet. 3:15)

7. Eternal Father, prompt these friends to view their circumstances from the perspective of eternity. Help them to consider the fleetingness of life, the vain bustling around, and the storing up of wealth. Cause them to ponder the eternity You have set in their hearts. Give them a heart of wisdom as they realize that all our days are numbered. (Ps. 39:4-6; Eccl. 3:11; Ps. 90: 10-12)

8. Sovereign Lord, help these dear ones to be like Job, to see You as good and find reasons to praise You even though You have taken away. Grant them faith to accept trouble from You as well as good things, and give them confidence that even though You slay them, they can still hope in You. (Job 1:21, 2:10, 13:15)

9. Great Redeemer, protect these friends from feeling persecuted. Bless them with confidence that You intend good for them. Please redeem every loss and every painful memory, and use them for the saving of many lives. Help them to know that You understand how they feel because You also suffered. (Gen. 50:20; Heb. 4:15-16)

10. Author of life, on behalf of these friends I come before You to resist every attempt of the evil one to steal and kill and destroy through this tragedy. You are the resurrection and the life; bring the blessings of life and fullness into these friends’ lives. (Jn. 10:10, 11:25)

11. Merciful Savior, help these friends to see Your grace clearly and seek it to guard themselves against any root of bitterness. (Heb. 12:15)

12. God of all hope, help these friends to not lose sight of the plans You have for them—to prosper them and not to harm them, to give them a hope and a future. Help them, Holy Spirit, to hope in You and not in circumstances, so their strength will be renewed. Fill them with joy and peace as they trust in You so that they may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Jer. 29:11; Is. 40:31; Ro. 15:13)