Hello, God. It's me, Mara.

You know, Lord, we all know we're born to die, but when that happens to our family, friends or loved ones, sometimes it just takes us by surprise. Just heard that an elderly mom slipped away. Some families were near, others were not yet able to get there. We/they know that You, Lord, will come again, but not to deal with our sins. We also know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love the Lord and are fitting into His plans.

Later, friends chatted about how great mom must feel to be back home with family and friends. Several looked at them, thinking they were crazy - they said she didn't go home! She left home! Then some chuckles as one gal reminded that group that God created us and sent us here to do a job that He had in mind for us and when our job was done, He'd call us back "home" again.

Total silence - then Chad spoke up, mentioning Romans 10:9-10. He said, there is a key to Heaven - wanna hear it? No one spoke, so he recited: 9 "... (T)hat if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

One of the younger ones then spoke up: "I know that verse; last year, when we visited our granma, she told us about that key and asked if we were interested - we were - we bowed our heads, saying that verse with her - we believe! Then quietly she bowed her head, others did also, she recited the verse, thanking Jesus for having a home ready for us and that He was waiting for us and we'll be family again."

Love, Mara