No More Pain
Dear Champions,
Below are small excerpts from Ted Headlee, who last night lost his wife, Kristin Headlee, to cancer. Like myself, Ted works at McCallie, and Kristin was employed here too.
Monday, December 7:
This past Friday, Kristin began hospice care.
Her condition degraded noticably the Friday before Thanksgiving, when work ended for Break. The timing was providential as it allowed me to care for her 24/7 over the following nine days. I'm not a big holiday guy, but this was one I'll treasure. Thank you, Lord.
Last Tuesday our appointment Thursday confirmed what we expected. As her oncologist, Dr. Graham, held her hand and leaned over to look her in the eyes to tell her how sorry he was to bring her the bad news, Kristin was still Kristin. She told him we were okay, and began consoling him, telling him that he shouldn't feel bad, that she knew he had done his best, and that she was grateful to have had him as her oncologist. "I couldn't have been better cared for," she assured him, and I agree.
Fast forward to Tuesday, December 15:
At 7:08 PM tonight our Kristin stood before God, forgiven and accepted--not on the basis of her good deeds (which were many) nor her own goodness (which was remarkable), but--solely by the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to her by faith.
Sometimes you just want to say it all in one sentence.
Her death came gradually, painlessly, and without struggle. Dying is hard work for the body, and the athlete in Kristin has been apparent over the past 72 hours. Her care team had not expected her to make it through the previous night.
All is well.
What Christmas is about is that Jesus entered our world of pain, so that we can live in eternity without any more pain. Revelations 21:4 says He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Champions, have a great week!-David Vining
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