After I was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, the initial shock was quickly followed by the gripping fear that I might soon be leaving behind those whom I love. It’s hard to describe the intellectual and emotional gymnastics of believing it is better to be at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8) and really-really-really not wanting to die. It is a surreal experience.

The experience inspired me to start creating an “Ethical Will” that would contain written versions of the values, life lessons, blessings, and hopes for the future that would be given to loved ones. In that compilation was a poem I wrote to (hopefully) encourage others who were left behind.

For whatever reason, God chose to heal me of cancer so today on National Cancer Survivor’s Day, I want to share that poem in hopes of encouraging you after losing someone you love.

Do not weep for me too long,
Though I know the tears still fall,
For I have seen the face of Christ,
And He has made me whole.

The burdens that once bent my back,
The pains I could not hide,
Have vanished in His glorious light
With Jesus by my side.

My loved ones, keep pressing on,
Run hard the race ahead,
Stand firm in faith, love your family well,
And let God’s Word be bread.

Oh, how well you loved,
With strength both fierce and kind,
And every prayer you whispered low
The Father kept in mind.

Do not think of heaven dimly
As some distant, silent place,
I am more alive than ever now,
Held fully in His grace.

The songs here shake the endless hills,
The joy cannot be told,
And every promise we believed
Shines brighter now than gold.

I have laughed with saints who suffered,
Seen mercy face to face,
And every scar redeemed forever
Inside this holy place.

So when the ache comes rushing back,
And empty chairs still sting,
Remember Christ has conquered death
And robbed it of its sting.

This parting is not final,
Not for those the Savior keeps,
For resurrection morning comes
Beyond these nights of grief.

And when your journey here is done,
What gladness there will be
To worship Christ together
For all eternity.

Until that day, love boldly,
Forgive quickly, walk in light,
Keep your eyes upon the Savior,
And I will see you soon in Christ.

If you read words like “faith… Savior… Jesus” and are clueless about all this heaven talk, or you feel a sense of ache in your heart when the topic of eternity is brought up, I’d like to introduce you to the “man on the middle cross” named Jesus Christ. Whether or not you are touched by sickness on this earth, He’s the One who died so that you could live forever. In His hands, you are both fully healed and fully forgiven. Click here to understand more about this good news and “just let Him love you.”