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Just a few days ago, the whole nation was shocked by the sudden death of Cerge M. Remonde, the press secretary of President Gloria Arroyo. He died of a heart attack. According to his Danish wife (from the news), he was not happy anymore, he was in much stress and physically tired. I don't know him that much personally but it was interesting to me that the night just before he died, he wrote in his Facebook account (which was all over Facebook the following day) these words:
"Lord, thank you for your infinite love that meets our every need and provides all the beautiful and wonderful things we experience in life. Release our hearts and minds from fear and worry. Fill us with your peace as we learn to fully trust in your providence. Help us to do all that we are capable of and the rest we entrust unto you. Amen.
What beautiful words! We all can relate to this. I don't know him that much personally but I really felt sorry for him at one time when during a protest rally in front of Malacanang, he was so willing to face the crowd to try to understand them but some in the crowd became rude and threw objects (paper?) at him. That must have hurt him not physically but deep inside. Being in government service seems to be a thankless job -- especially as press secretary for a president with lots of critics.
 Yesterday also, I joined some of my fellow church members at the cemetery where a brother-in-the-faith's wife of 45 years was laid to rest. I can't help but notice each time the grief of everyone when a loved one is laid to rest. As pastor, I often stay behind with the bereaved family when most everyone has left the cemetery. And it's heart-breaking each time. But all is not lost.
"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
I thank God for the understanding he has given us. We are not hopeless. Wherever the Lord is, he will bring us with him. That's good enough for me. Lord, thank you for this promise. You will not leave us in the grave.
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