As soon as I woke up Friday morning and turned my phone on, I received a phone call that sent a shock to my spirit, my mind. A long time minister, preacher, at my home church had passed away that morning. I think because I’d just seen him last Sunday (I had a desire to go to church but, I don’t know why because usually, I have to make myself go. Long story. You’d have to have been following me for the last 3 years) as he was conducting service. I was in the audience and he motioned to me to come up. He asked if I would do the scripture or prayer and I responded, “Either one. Just tell me what you want me to do.” He said, “Both.” So, I did. He was my elder. The Sunday before last Sunday, he preached a really good message. One of his best. He’s a fiery preacher and a fiery being. He grew up with my dad in the same the neighborhood and went to the same school. He served as the associate minister under my dad who is now a retired pastor. They were buddies. My mind just couldn’t comprehend fast enough what I hearing. My brain was trying to make it make sense. How? Although the person told me what happened, it just didn’t make sense.

Yes. He had fought many health battles and surgeries and won them all. I don’t see death as a battle so, I don’t think in terms of if a person won a battle with death if they live or loss if they died. I think death is to complex of a subject to be made so simple or to have one religion or a science claim they know everything about death. I can’t make my thoughts yours and you can’t make your experience mine. Anyway, in this case, from my religious perspective and knowing the spirit of this soul, knowing he talked about “going home” and “being with the Lord” often. He didn’t seem to be worried or concerned about his time. So, I will leave you with this scripture that can sum up his TRANSITION from body and spirit to soul.

19 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! Philippians 1:19-22

He chose.

~Nikki #atozchallege2024