I Can Only Imagine

"I can only imagine what it will be like, when I walk by Your side. I can only imagine what my eyes will see, when Your face is before me. I can only imagine. I can only imagine." -Mercy Me

I was listening to iHeart radio this afternoon and this song played. I'd prayed that God would give me song that would sum up this past week. Instead, I got a song that made me think of an old friend. So it looks like I'm going to write about that experience instead of my week.

The first time I heard this song was at a funeral. In March 2004, my co-worker passed away. We hadn't worked together very long but she had a big impact on my life. No matter how much was going on in her life, she always had time to listen. Christ's love shinned through her. Even after her diagnosis, Stage 3 Cervical Cancer, and treatment, she wanted to come back to work because she missed us...no matter how crazy we were. I regret that I didn't visit with her until she'd had a stroke and was placed in hospice. We got word that she had taken a bad turn and if we wanted to see her, we needed to do it soon. Another co-worker of mine went with me on a Saturday morning to see how she was doing. I'd never been to a hospice before and I was pretty nervous. When we arrived, we spoke with her family for a few minutes and they took us into the room. When my friend looked up, she smiled and said, in her deep Southern accent, "Hey, Miss Carrie." I almost lost it right there. It was so hard to see this woman that was so full of life now struggling to speak. I thank God that He lead me there to see my friend that day. It would be the last time I'd get to visit with her. A week later, on Sunday morning, I received the call that she'd passed away.

Many people from work attended a service held for our co-worker on Tuesday of that same week. Her pastor was a powerful speaker. He told us of her strong faith and I was again thankful to God that I would see her again in Heaven. They played "I Can Only Imagine" because it was her favorite song. Those words hit me incredibly hard as I sat in the pew and sobbed. Every time I hear it, I think of her and her smile. I think of how much she loved the Lord. I remember her kindness. I sure miss that lady but I know we'll meet again. I can only imagine that when we see each other, she'll say, "Hey, Miss Carrie."

I guess I won't know until I get there, what I'll do in the presence of Jesus. I'd like to think that my friend and others that have gone before me, will be waiting there to give me serious hugs.

"Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You Jesus, or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in You presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine." -Mercy Me

*Name withheld for privacy