Joyful Sorrow

My dear Friend P-R's husband died yesterday.  She has nursed him faithfully and lovingly for many years and his death was in many ways a happy release, but because she loved him she mourns.  And alas he died without faith...and she had prayed so much for a deathbed conversion.  But we talked about the paralitic in Mark's Gospel, where Jesus looked at THEIR Faith and said "My son, your sins are forgiven".  Maybe because of HER faith he is forgiven and welcomed by The Beloved.  We even had a laugh at the thought of him arriving in front of Jesus and saying "Gee! My wife was right!." But we're sad and wept together. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord.