"A Friend's Thought About Danene"

Hello Friends and Family.
      It's been just a little over a month since my loving wife Danene went home to be with the Lord. A very close family friend wrote the following and I wanted to share it with you all, this touched my heart and I think it may touch your heart as well. Love you all, and thank you for lifting our family up to God during this time.
Danene's Partner in Life, Matt.

Mourning the Loss of Danene

God desires that we manifest His Kingdom here on earth. Janis “Danene” Edalgo was true to this call as a daughter, wife, mother, family member, teacher and friend. Now she joins God’s Kingdom “as it is in heaven.” Danene will be dearly missed by those of us who remain behind –for a time.

It is a challenge to consider something beyond our loss. We know Danene is better off with her Savior, but our emotions want her back. We tell ourselves that God is sovereign, and “all things work together for good,” but our hearts cry, “No!” While we do not understand the timing, nonetheless, there is comfort to be found. Our God is well acquainted with our sorrow and offers hope – if we are willing to receive it.

We are promised that in His presence is “fullness of joy” and “pleasures for evermore.” Danene recognized the surpassing value of God’s presence over all else this life has to offer. If we believe what Danene believed, we must conclude that her life was not tragically “cut short,” but rather “more abundantly” fulfilled. If we trust what God has said, the gain to His Kingdom outweighs our temporary loss. Right now, Danene is experiencing “joy unspeakable” in the presence of her Lord. She joins friends and family who have preceded us. Our Lord loves her more than we possibly can. Others like Louis, Florence, Oliver and Pearl love her too. Would we deny her this reunion merely to delay our grief that is only temporary?

Perhaps had Danene been an unbeliever or spiritually immature, our gracious God would have extended her time here. But Danene had accomplished what God had set out for her to do; successful helpmate, nurturing mother, gifted instructor, and our sister in Christ. But the ultimate proof that she was ready to go Home was her finish. The worse it got, the more determined Danene was to testify of her Savior. 

It is hard to accept that God uses hardship to impress on us what is truly important. Someone once said, “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.” Do we really believe that going to be with Him is better than this life? Danene would say, “His loving kindness is better than life.” She finished strong. Will we?

Yes, we grieve. But let us grieve righteously and keep before us the goal of joining Danene along with so many other friends and loved ones who have preceded us into the presence of the One who has won the victory over death.

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”  2 Peter 1:10