A few days ago I wrote about sad news in my life and one of those topics was a dear friend who had entered hospice care as she was finally losing a long battle with cancer. Yesterday I logged into my friend Susan Flickner’s website to check on her and I found these words.

Susan is now at rest in the arms of Jesus.

Susan was fifty-four years old. Today I listened to a song by one of my go to guys when I need some musical comfort. Andrew Peterson has a song called Lay Me Down. In this song Peterson sings about how his final resting place could be anywhere because something else will happen when you lay him down to die. Here are the lyrics from this awesome song.

When you lay me down to die
So long, boys, so long, girls
Lay me down and let me say goodbye to this world
You can lay me anywhere
But just remember this
When you lay me down to die
You lay me down to live.

I believe that is exactly what my friend Susan believed. She knew that it would be hard to say goodbye to her devoted husband Bob, son Blake, daughter Lindsey, and other wonderful family and friends. But Susan believed that she was laying down not to die…but to live. I know that Susan also believed the next part of Andrew Peterson’s lyric.

I’ll open up my eyes on the skies I’ve never known
In the place where I belong
And I’ll realize His love is just another word for Home.

Susan has gone home and she is at rest. This message from the family touched me deeply.

We are thankful for the many hours, days, and years we had with Susan, and though we miss her greatly, we rejoice that she is now healthy and truly alive with our Lord Jesus. She told me that although getting to heaven has been difficult, she was excited to go, and she was not scared. Through it all, she never complained of her pain, and though there were some challenging times, she left us with surprising grace and peace.

For the second time in two weeks I have written about Godly women who left this place with grace and peace. I am so sad for the Flickner family. They face many difficult days ahead adjusting to life without this incredible woman. But I am blessed by their faith.

How sweet it is to find forgiveness, rest, comfort and love from the Lord Jesus. He is truly very good. From what we have learned about Him in the last three years, I know it must be incredible to live in the presence of Jesus. Let us all be reminded of our need for a Savior.  

Nothing would honor Susan more than inspiring others to explore the peace that she and her family have found in Jesus. Joni and I have learned so much from Susan and Bob. They were our inspiration and often comforters as we adjusted to Joni’s cancer. 

Susan was a charter member of a rowdy group of women (affectionately known as the Menopausal Maniacs) who ditched their lesser halves one night a month and got together for laughter, fellowship, and love. There will always be an empty chair at the Ladie’s Night Out gatherings that only Susan could fill. But I know those women (one of them very well). They will all reassemble some day. And I can’t help but wonder…if they can have that much fun in one night how much fun can they have in eternity?