In Perfect Peace – Kimberley Murray
Isaiah 26:3-4 “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose hearts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.”
I still remember the moment. It was a June evening and I was leaving work at the end of a long day. I glanced down at my phone and saw I had missed calls and messages from family; my Gramma was declining and rapidly. My heart fell and instantly tears welled up in my eyes. All I kept thinking was; “No, I am not ready!” I had seen her at Christmas, and she was well and her memory sharp. But since the Coronavirus pandemic began, she had had no physical contact with family and during phone and FaceTime calls we noticed her steadily weakening. I felt an overwhelming urge to go to her immediately, but she was in Ontario and I was in PEI. And, even if I were there, they still would not let me see her because of constraints.
Within days she was palliative. So, they allowed two of my aunts with negative test results to alternate visits. As she slipped away, we struggled with not being with her. My brain understood, but my heart was grieved for her and us. I had another video call with her the night before she passed. She tried keeping her eyes open for me, but she was struggling. I prayed over her reminding her she was loved by me and most importantly by Jesus. I prayed for relief from pain, comfort, peace and told her she was never alone because Jesus was with her. I whispered, “I love you” and she whispered it back.
The next afternoon she slipped into the arms of Jesus leaving us heartbroken. During the following days I was able to go home and conduct her funeral. In the midst of profound grief, we had to navigate Covid restrictions such as attendance, wear masks, refrain from touching, delay the reception till the fall, etc. Later, I reflected upon the previous days. It had been emotionally draining and challenging to say the least, but one thing I can emphatically say is that through it all Jesus was with me and filled me with incredible peace.
Today, Covid restrictions say keep your distance, but Jesus says, “come to me.” Covid has thrown us into chaos but Jesus says, “peace be still.” Covid leaves the future uncertain but Jesus says; “I am the way, the truth, the life.” Friends, amid the confusion and challenges of life, trust Jesus. He is our perfect peace and faithful to His word and promises.
Kimberley is a pastor, student, daughter, sister, aunt, friend to many, and child of God. Currently she is working as a supervisor in our local Bibles for Missions doing what she loves most; loving and ministering to her community as she shares the love of Jesus in tangible ways.