Signpost To Heaven

“And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”  John 14:3

This past week, my dear 98-year-old friend, Ray, took the journey home to Heaven.  Ray has been my dear friend for over 30 years.  Ray was in a share group with my husband, Dave for many years.  I first met Ray through the Emmaus Walk and one of the churches I served.  Ray was a gentle man and a gentleman.  He lived his faith in how he treated others and how he responded to the trials of life.  After my husband, Dave, died and Ray’s wife, Dottie died, Ray and I had a bond of grief and faith.  Though Ray was my elder, he looked to me for guidance on the grief journey.

Ray was a storyteller.  His experiences of life were vast and made an impact on his direction in life.  Ray talked often about the signposts of his life.  He regarded the people who had given him guidance and direction along the path of life as signposts.  A signpost tells us where we are and how far it is to the next location.  Ray recognized that relationships with others was the key to life.  What path you took, depended on who you followed and who you listened to on the journey.  Ray found people who guided him along the path of life and enhanced his life.

Ray and I had a mutual respect for one another.  I have always respected my elders and learned from their stories, experiences, and wisdom.  But because I had walked the journey of grief with the loss of my husband, Ray turned to me for support.  And in these past months, Ray and I spent many hours talking about Heaven and what that journey would be like for him.  We talked about many of the people who had strengthened his faith and been a signpost of growth for him.  We talked about those who are now in Heaven waiting for him.

As I walked the path of dying with Ray, even in his strong faith and belief in Jesus, anxiousness occurred.  We believe and trust, but we do not know exactly how the transition from this world to heaven occurs.  God has blessed me with an understanding of the spiritual dying process and the ability to comfort others.  In Ray’s words, God uses me as a signpost to guide others to Heaven.  Jesus prepares the place – Heaven - and comes to take us home.  We need a guide to direct us to Jesus.  Ray wondered who Jesus would bring to be a signpost of guidance to Heaven.  My response to Ray was that I hoped it would be my husband, Dave, who would come with Jesus.  Ray smiled at that possibility.

As we reflect on our loved one’s transition to Heaven, we wonder what they saw and who guided them on this path.  I believe Jesus took their hand as they breathed their last breath on earth and took their first breath in Heaven.  And as your loved one like Ray, entered Heaven, they heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of your Master.”  After they were hugged by Jesus and worshipped him, I believe they saw the people who had been signposts for their lives – those who had guided them along the path of life that led to Heaven.

Ray has been and will always be a signpost for my life.  His positive attitude toward life and never focusing on the negative, has helped me to change my focus.  His love and belief in me and God’s calling on my life has encouraged me to be bold in God’s strength.  He has reminded me that the most important part of life is relationships – our relationship with God and with one another.  I will always treasure my friendship with Ray.  His love will live in my heart forever and become part of my foundation for living.  Ray challenges me to be a signpost for others and guide them on this journey of life.