As I got the news I went to the window of our office pantry where I often find a bit of quiet and perspective away from the hectic office life. The sunset was orange like the robe of a sadhu, slowly turning red as blood before the death of a holy day.

Shiny

Shiny is dead. The depression that she fought for 22 years finally got the better of her. It is terribly sad and tragic. She was a friend and her children are friends with ours. We prayed together many times. There were birthday parties over the years. We did summer day camp together. How many times did we sing carols together?

They brought her body from Haridwar. But Shiny wasn’t there anymore. No-one attends their own funeral. It is just an empty shell. Shiny is now with God and since she trusted Jesus – that He took her sins upon himself – there is no doubt in my mind that she just started her real life. Eternal life. No more depression. No more pain. No more tears.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. 4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.”…  (Book of Revelations chapter 21 verse 4 in the holy Bible)

Shiny had a passion for her friends, her neighbors, her clients, her coworkers, her family. She wanted more than anything to introduce them to Jesus. The light of Jesus shone through the cracks of her life. The living water spilled out but was filled again with His endless supply.

The sun finally set and I rode my bicycle back in the darkness. I cry for her daughters and the terrible emptiness they must feel. There were a lot of tears at the graveside. There will probably be difficult decisions and difficult adjustments. Dark days ahead.

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But afterwards, I saw the younger laughing with some friends. Life will relentlessly go on. Joy will not stay away forever. Jesus is their savior as well. God is their Father. They are not orphans. We are not orphans. We have a Father and a Friend.

We will miss Shiny.