A Postscript to Death: Remembering our Daughter-in-law Carol

I just wanted to share how much our family has appreciated prayers during these past few days.  On Thursday, August 7, our daughter-in-law,  Carol Frazier, went home to be with the Lord after a nearly 12 year battle with MS.  Although we will greatly miss her, we rejoice in the freedom she now has in the presence of the Lord.  For the past nearly two years, Carol had been a prisoner in her own body - being unable to do anything for herself.  Her mind was still pretty strong and she was able to communicate with Barry and her children up to the final couple of months, when even that ability to communicate was taken from her.  Our entire family was able to be together for a couple of days to celebrate her life.  And how we appreciate the strong support Barry and his family have received from their church family at Westchester Evangelical Free Church there in Des Moines. 


Carol was only 44, having just celebrated that birthday on July 28.  Certainly not old by today's standards.  Her death raises a myriad of questions which simply cannot be answered this side of glory.  Why was she stricken with such a debilitating form of MS?  Why was she taken so soon from her husband and children?  Why didn't God answer the many prayers raised on Carol's behalf for her healing?  Oh the many questions.  I sometime feel as did Job - always asking questions, never receiving any answers.  And yet we all have that peace that God was in total control.  Carol belonged to Him.  She was His child.  He only loaned her to our family for a short time of 20 years.  And when she breathed that final breath that Thursday afternoon, she was set free to enjoy that eternity that God had provided for her through Jesus Christ. 


Friends, death takes no account of age or position or power.  We are not promised a certain number of days upon this earth.  The only guarantee that comes with our birth is the certainty of our death, unless the Lord returns for His Bride.  Only God has numbered our days.  Only God sees the end from the beginning.  Only God knows.  We are instructed to be ready when that day comes for us.  Carol was ready, having trusted Christ as her Savior when she was a child.  And, as we gathered around her casket there in that cemetery this past Tuesday morning, there was a confidence that can only be described as the presence of Jesus Christ.  Yes, there were tears - but we did not sorrow as do those who have no hope.  Pastor Dave kept reminding us that Carol was not there in that casket; she was in heaven with Jesus.  And someday we will have a sweet reunion with her. 


Yes, there is a finality about death, but it does not have to be the victor over you.  Jesus tasted all of death for you when He died upon the cross.  The Apostle Paul was right when he wrote to the Corinthians, "Death is swallowed up in victory."  Carol knew that victory.  And so can you.  You just need to acknowledge your need for a Savior and believe that Jesus Christ died in your place.  When you confess your sins and invite Him to be part of your life, then you, too, will know that peace.  You, too, will have that victory when God summons you to His home.  I urge you to not put it off - remember, only God knows how many are your days. 


Before closing, I just want to make a brief comment about the still-holding ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.  Negotiations are ongoing in Cairo with Egypt acting as the chief negotiator.  America's role in the Middle East has become secondary.  I remember those days when Israeli leaders would think of doing nothing without first consulting their American allies.  I think the Israeli Prime Minister summed it up well when, speaking of President Obama, he said, "Don't ever second guess me again!"  And the exclamation point was indeed just that - an exclamation point filled with anger and almost disdain.  Will there be some type of truce achieved?  I believe it is highly unlikely.  Israel will not accede to the demands of Hamas and Hamas certainly will not acquiesce to recognizing the legitimacy of the State of Israel.  So, the fighting will stop, at least for awhile.  Hamas will seek opportunities to rearm and reposition itself.  And Israelis will rest easier for awhile, yet always being alert to the potential for rockets from Gaza.  The role of the United States will continue to be lesser than in the past, at least until a new Congress is convened in January after the midterm elections - a Congress that will hopefully be more favorable to Israel. 


I will write about IS next week.  What a monstrosity that is becoming!  And we are seeing what its intentions really are as they persecute those minority groups, including Christians, living in Iraq.  And their eyes are set upon Lebanon and Jordan.  They are like a cancer - and the only way to treat a cancer is to remove it.  Meanwhile, keep praying for "the peace of Jerusalem."  God is in control.