I recently had the privilege of visiting a fellow writer who was in the last stages of her life. I call it a privilege because she was such a graceful example of someone finishing well. Although her life was filled with some extraordinary challenges, in the last years of her relatively short life it was apparent to everyone who knew her that she loved the Lord. She claimed the promises of the Bible and used the various talents God gave her to glorify Him.

What strikes me the most as I dwell upon my friend’s life was that every mistake, disappointment or heartache she dealt with as a much younger woman were entirely forgotten after realizing God had given her a new identity as a child of His. Because of such a transformation, she knew she was already a resident of heaven and was simply waiting to take that final step.

In light of that it was beyond comforting to witness the kind of peace only someone so certain of her destination can have. It was the kind of experience that will no doubt stay with me, because she so vividly acted out her faith in a way every Christian hopes to do. Not only was she was an example to me, but to other friends and family, doctors and nurses and hospice staff as well—truly a wonderful legacy!

We’re left to celebrate the blessed lives of such people, and look forward to the day we’ll see them again. Truly, God is the Great Comforter, isn’t He?