Three years ago today, 19th November 2020, Kirstie died.
Through eyes without faith, this is a disaster. It is so final. The end. For those who knew her, just grief, loss and sorrow, plus everything else that goes with it.
But through faithful eyes, it is something different.
 
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
 
“Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus removes the sting of death, the sting of sin and gives us victory.  Kirstie’s story began when she was 17.  She saw that God wanted a relationship with her.  She saw that God had a plan for her life.  She was inspired.  She turned away from sin and instead orientated herself towards God, repented and was baptised.  At this point, she became a member of God’s kingdom on earth.  The church.  The church of Christ. Sometimes the church on earth is referred to as the church militant. A child of God. Born again. She was saved.  All because 2000 years before, Jesus died on the cross so that her sins could be forgiven and not count against her on the day of judgement.  Her debt had been paid in full.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18
This scripture talks about the power of God.  Kirstie understood the cross and the power of God.  She wasn’t afraid of dying. In the days before she died, said to my and a friend of ours.  “Be jealous of where I am going.  I am going to be with Jesus”. She knew where she was going.  She knew that this world was not her home.  She was looking forward to her real home.  Her home in heaven.
Kirsitie was going leave the church militant and become a member of the church triumphant.  The church in heaven.  God’s heavenly kingdom.  She would be in the loving arms of Christ Jesus her Lord and her saviour.
For me, it was bittersweet.  Bitter because I had lost my companion, my soulmate, my lover, the mother of my children.  My partner in life and my partner in the gospel.  But most of all, I lost my best friend. 
But it was also sweet.  Our marriage was complete and had been successful.  This is my greatest achievement in my life.  No one can take that away. One of us, had handed the other over to the Lord.  Our wedding vows fulfilled. During our last date, we planned her funeral together.  She wanted Revelation 21 read out.  Two verses have stood out to me over the time that has passed.
‘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.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” – Revelation 21:4-5
 
Her heavenly body is free of pain.  No more cancer.  No more horrible treatments.  No more suffering.  Like a bird released from its cage, she is alive and free.  She isn’t looking down and observing life on earth without the ability to change anything.  That would be awful.  That isn’t heaven.  Heaven is outside of our realm and time. Heaven is in being the presence of the God of splendour – seeing and experiencing sights more glorious than anything we could think of or imagine.  Being in the presence the God of creation himself.  In a pure light where there is no darkness.  Being in the presence of the God of goodness.  In the presence of the God of eternal joy and peace.  She is living in the eternal, never ending, never stopping, love of God.  That is heaven.  My friend is there.  Praise the Lord.