Sixth Sense or the Holy Spirit?

Last night, after I had been asleep for a bit, I woke up. I wake up often during the night, but this time was different. Something felt off. I felt like I wanted to cry. I wasn't hurting, upset, anxious or angry about anything. I had a thought that maybe someone I cared about was hurting. I told you, I literally feel other people's feelings. I decided to check my emails, texts, missed calls and facebook to see if anything was amiss, maybe I needed to be praying for someone. Nothing. 


I decided to post a status update....

Exhausted. Can't sleep. Feeling like I want to cry. Not sure why. Not anxious, worried or sad....at least I don't think so. Weird.

I laid in bed for a bit praying-for what, I wasn't sure.

This morning I still felt a little off. I went on facebook and three things caught my attention.

First, my brother had a Bible verse on his status. That was a little strange.....especially since the verse was

‎"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

--2 Corinthians 1:3-4


I don't think he has ever posted a Bible verse.....he's 'liked' mine.....but never posted one himself.....that I can remember.


The second was my sister-in-law's (his wife) status.


I'm laying here wondering why they say "things happen for a reason.." I wish I knew that reason so I could avoid them....


If that wasn't enough.....my brother had left two comments on my status from last night

I hear ya! I'll talk to you in the morning....


AND


Love you!!!


So, of course, I called him right away at about 6am and was able to talk with my sister-in-law. She let me know that a friend of their family was approaching her last days on earth. Cancer.


Yuck.


Death is not pretty. We weren't created for death. Thankfully, we have the opportunity to have everlasting life. However, it doesn't take away death's sting.


I have seen death all around me from a young age. I used to be afraid of it. There is no avoiding it.....unless the Lord follows my blueprint and I am raptured. :) 


While I don't necessarily fear it any more, I still have questions and/or get angry when people have loved ones die......when it involves suffering.......when it involves children.......when it involves people that are so faithful to Him.


My mother-in-law recently lost a good friend to cancer. She was an amazing woman.....not without fault.....but was very committed to the Lord and sharing His joy and message with others.


She led so many others to the Lord.....WHY would the Lord allow her to have cancer and suffer a painful death? I went to her funeral a little bitter at the Lord. It was probably the 'best' funeral I have ever been to. It was inspiring, amazing and awesome to see all the lives she had touched......which didn't help the bitterness. She was with her family as she took her last breath.

I learned this at the funeral......Up until about 2:30am she had been in terrible pain, screaming and yelling. My mother-in-law woke up about that time and sensed that she was supposed to pray for her friend. She did. At about that time is when her family said she calmed down. She laid there for another hour or two.......as she breathed her last breath a smile came across her face. Peace.

All of my bitterness evaporated and I too was at peace. The Lord had her and she was happy.

Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.