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Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (ESV)
My mother was saved in a tent meeting when she was 15. My dad went out west to get away from God, but somehow ended up being saved during a prayer meeting in his early 20s. Before my father passed away in 2011, his doctor asked him if he was scared of death. He just said that he wasn't sure what the crossing over would be like.
Do you fear the moment of death, unsure of what it will be like? I was so blessed to be with both my parents as they passed, and I would like to share what happened.
My dad was dying with cancer, and we were keeping him at home on the couch in the living room. It was Sunday morning, his favourite day of the week. He had closed his eyes for the last time on Thursday afternoon. The house was full of people, but everyone was asleep except for one of my sisters and me. His breaths were coming so far apart that we knew that each one could be his last.
Dad's mouth was moving silently as his hands came up from where they had been folded on his stomach. One arm was reaching higher than the other and his hands clasped in unison as if they were holding the hands of another. As soon as his hands closed over, his mouth stopped moving, his hands came gently down again, and that was it — there was not another breath. It was beautiful to witness dad reaching up his hands to take the hands of Jesus and fly home.
Our mother had congestive heart failure, and we really did not think that she would be able to live without dad, but she did, thankfully, for almost four years. In addition to four brothers, my mother had one baby sister who died at birth. She always wished for that older sister that she'd never had, and she longed for the day that she would meet her in heaven. A couple of days before mom passed, she pointed up to the corner of the room and told us that she could see a baby waiting for her. Then, she started describing for us all the people singing at the gate — crowds of people!
I am so grateful that I was able to be with my parents when they passed — it was a blessing. It is my hope and prayer that this story will bring peace and comfort to any of you who are wondering about the crossing over. Jesus promises never to leave or forsake all those who put their trust in Him, and He promises that He will take His Christian brothers and sisters home.
Prayer: Father, we trust Your Word that You will be with us in that moment of death. Give us peace and comfort as we think about how our lives will end. Amen.
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Monday, March 24, 2025 – In the Middle East — We recently received a message telling us that one of our dear local friends has passed away. This was so hard, as we are on home assignment which makes it even harder. Please pray with us that the Lord will comfort his family and children and that Christ's name will be glorified. Help them to stay strong in their faith in the face of opposition..
friend: "Update March 21, 2025; Please continue to pray for Hilde who has had dizziness for many months..." 
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Amen Katherine.
Thanks, Katherine, for the comforting words.
What a beautiful uplifting post, Katherine. Thanks and blessings!
Thank you for that very moving and powerful testimony God Bless.
Thank you for sharing your personal stories.
I trust Easter in PEI was as lovely as it was in Manitoba.
Thank you, Katherine, for sharing these hope-filled stories about your parents. What a blessing that you were able to be with them.
Thanks, Katherine for sharing. This is a God-controlled event to read this on the first anniversary of my husband’s sudden death. Praise the Lord!
Thank you for the beautiful message of hope that you have shared with us. How fitting it is during this season of Easter. We need this reminder daily!
Thank you for your devotional.
It is so comforting to know that it is just a matter of time before we see our loved ones again.
Thank you for sharing. I was with both my parents the night they passed away, prayer and gratitude for lives well lived reassured them and me that God was waiting to receive them.
Just think Jesus died alone but He makes certain His blood bought believers the body of Christ will never die alone. This was a very comforting, reassuring, devotional Katherine. Thank you for sharing.
Good morning, Katherine,
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Very meaningful and good words.
Blessings.
Katherine, thank you for sharing those very precious moments and for reminding me of my mommy’s death, with me by her side and for showing me your divine presence as you brought her Home.
Thank you for your devotional today, Katherine. We have such peace of mind knowing that our loving Father is there with open arms, to welcome us to our eternal home. Blessings for sharing your experience in the passing of your parents and may peace and comfort be with you.
Dear Katharine,
Thank you for giving us a close encounter with the passing into death.
I’m sure that many readers will be glad to remind ourselves that it will/can be something that we need not to worry about.
(Ontario, Canada)
Dear Katherine,
Thank you for sharing your parents “crossing over journey” with us today. It is truly a beautiful story of their readiness of them following the light at the end of their journey – Jesus’ light! Amen.
Grace Peace to you!
Thank you for sharing your parents’ stories. I can identify with them.
When my Mom was slipping away, she raised her arms to heaven as well, despite having 2 non-functioning shoulders. She hadn’t been able to raise her arms for a very long time. Such a reassuring memory!
(Ontario)
How beautiful. Katherine, thank you for sharing this with us.
I, personally, am not afraid of death but for any that are that read your devotional will be blessed, hopefully, will have their fears laid to rest (no pun intended).
Beautifully written, obviously shared with a great deal of love.
God bless you.
(On)
Dear Katherine,
Thank you for sharing that wonderful devotional today. It was really meaningful, powerful also. What a joyous experience even when you lose the ones you love so much.
We are blessed to know that Jesus is always there beside us every day even in death.
Blessings to you.
(Ont)
These are lovely stories, Katherine of Prince Edward Isl! In a similar vein, I’ve always loved the part in “Pilgrim’s Progress” where Pilgrim is crossing the river of death is fearful as the dark, turbulent waters begin to overwhelm him. His friend Hopeful helps support him points out his loved ones waiting to welcome him on the other side. We, too, can safely cross that river one day.
Dear Katherine,
It is wonderful that you shared these great memories of your parents. I experienced my parents passing with wonderful smiles on their faces all their wrinkles smoothed out. It was very peaceful.
We all benefit when people share their faith experiences which give us greater understanding of life. Thank you. Blessings.
Katherine
What a wonderful story of faith and love. You were so very blessed to be with your parents as they left this life for the next life with our Lord.
I volunteer in hospice and I have never witnessed the reaching of hands.
Thank you for sharing this comforting story.
Good morning Katherine
This was beautiful, yes peaceful!
I had a dream…I was sitting beside my mom rubbing her arm letting her know it was ok for her to go if she wanted to go. Then after that the phone rang — mom had passed. My husband and I couldn’t get to her because of the weather 5 hours away. so I had told the nurse Wednesday night to tell mom we would be there Friday, good weather. So, God allowed me to usher mom into the arms of Jesus since I always prayed to be with mom at the end. I was with my dad. God is so good. Sorry to take up so much.
God bless.
Thanks for a beautiful, reassuring devotional today. My dad was in the hospital when he passed, my mother visited him every day. The morning she got word that he had passed in the night she told me that she should have known he was going. As she looked back at him before she left the hospital ward that night, she said he was watching her – for the first time since he was in the hospital, she said his face was aglow, his eyes were bright like when he was a young man.
We lived with my Grandma when she passed, my mum was with her when she left this world. My Grandma, as she passed, looked upward, said ” I’m coming mother”. Two beautiful stories in my family of peaceful deaths.
Blessings.
Katherine,
Thank you for your devotional today. I will admit it made me sad as I was with neither of my parents when they died. As an only child, I have always carried a great deal of regret about that fact. My parents lived in a different town. I found out that my Dad had been rushed to the hospital, and the next thing I knew, he was dead.
With my mother, I carry guilt to this day. She had had a stroke and was in a coma… had been for days. My husband wanted to go to away for the holiday weekend. When I spoke with the doctor, who was also a family friend, he told me she could live in the same state for a long time or not! I decided to go with my husband, and she died while we were gone. The regret stays with me to this day.
Your writing was very moving. Thank you.
(Texas)
Beautiful thank you for sharing.