1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:1-8
This passage came to mind to day as I heard of the passing of my friend and Christian sister, Patti. She has finished the race and kept the faith to the end. And now she has received that crown of righteousness as she is held in the arms of Jesus.
Patti was so faithful in the face of cancer these past seven years. I read so much of what she wrote, and she pointed to God in every word. She always spoke with grace and love and joy, even in her pain. I said my goodbyes to her when I heard she had entered hospice, and her last words to me were of love.
I know she was loved by so many, and there is a bit of sadness there. Sadness for her lovely family, who will miss her dearly. For her wonderful husband; my friend, Christian brother, and teacher, Chas. For the many friends whose lives she touched, taught, and inspired. But I can’t help but feel happiness too, knowing where she is now and what she’s doing. And knowing that the last words I wrote to her are true.
“I’ll see you then, Patti.”
