The Essence of this Book This book is about losing that very very special loved one in your life! Sometimes it's more that one person you have lost to the monster of death. However, as Christians we are promised victory over death, even as our forerunner Jesus Christ - having conquered death through his all powerful resurrection, which assures us of victory over death as well. Knowing this gives us hope as we look upon the frail body of the one we love so dear, as they venture through the pathway to death's awaiting arms. We are comforted in the fact that Jesus takes away the "sting" of death for all His children, though to us it looks excruciatingly painful, ugly, gross, and so very unlovely. The great monstrosity death with a all that it has brought to us in life as Christians shall be "swallowed up" in victory! And we all shall shout even as our LORD! O grave where is "thy" victory! O' death! Where is thy "sting" But thanks be to God Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15.51-58). This book reveals the happiness and joy you can have even though sickness, pain, heartache, lonely nights, suffering, loss of a dear loved one in this life, yet, in spite of it all you can live the victorious life because you are in the everlasting hand and arms of your loving savior Jesus Christ. (John 10.28 & 29, Deut. 33.27). Friend, God is our "dwelling place" and underneath us are His everlasting arms of love, even in our trouble and trials that strength and love remains. I saw that in losing two wives one to Lupus, and one to breast cancer. Yet their joy and victory stayed intact and remained. Both were awesome women of God in this 21st century. Read on and be immensely blessed by their lives and their circumstances as they eventually faced what many are facing throughout America, the world, and perhaps in your family . . . the monstrosity called death. God gives victory, joy, peace, care, and l

When GOD Took My Friend & The Trials, Tribulations, And Triumph Of Sparkie Bottoms

By L.D. Hunter

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 L.D. Hunter
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4772-8945-7

Contents

Foreword.....................................viiThe Essence of this Book.....................ixChapter 1....................................1Chapter 2....................................14Chapter 3....................................18Chapter 4....................................25Chapter 5....................................31Chapter 6....................................39Chapter 7....................................46Chapter 8....................................58Chapter 9....................................73Chapter 10...................................76About the Author.............................97Thanks.......................................103

Chapter One

My Friend

The Big Halle Berry Smile!

My friend was loving. My friend was humorous! My friend loved big houses and nice things in life. Before my friend got really sick we used to ride out and look for a larger place to stay. We decided on a ranch style home, one with everything on the first floor, the master bedroom, kitchen, bath, living room, and outside screened in porch with sliding doors.

You see, my friend was a cancer patient, and could get tired quickly using the stairs so much. We found that out with our condo. What I love most about my friend was her humor and the big Halle Berry Smile she gave to everyone! She loved going to movies, and theatrical plays, and her favorite restaurants here in Raleigh, The Bahama Breeze, and the Red Lobster of which we frequented often when she was strong and vibrant, and her cancer treatments and radiation treatments didn't cause her a flare up, or to become very weak.

Her love for the God who made her really let me know I had the true jewel in a marriage partner. She often talked of the goodness of Jesus, and His love and power, and though weak on occasions would praise God in her holy dance, or get excited when I would praise Him as well. I loved her. She made me happy everyday! She made my day! I remember our very first date. We met at Buffalo Brothers restaurant, Capitol Blvd Raleigh, N.C. She stood there in what looked like 5 inch heel boots, and the biggest Halle Berry Smile you've ever seen, and truthfully we fell in love at first sight! I immediately set out to win her over. We talked till the restaurant got ready to close its doors. I told her I wanted to see her as much as possible.

We worked different hours, her 9 to 5, and I worked 3pm till 11:30 nightly. So, after I got home I would shower, grab a quick bite to eat and spend a couple of hours on the phone with her if her eyes didn't get too heavy? We met just before Valentine's Day. I had been working a temporary job—praying I would soon get full time employment. Then shortly before meeting her I landed a full time job, and I'm still employed at the job till the time of this book. We talked about everything and shared everything for 10 months. After 10 months we decided to get married, the 15th of December just before Christmas!

We were so excited and so much in love and couldn't stand to be away from each other for even a day the whole 10 months that we dated. Sheila had a very loving and sweet family, and so did I. Each of us came from very strong families of faith, and were believers in God, His Son Jesus Christ, the bible, and righteous living.

I found out that my friend was a very devoted woman of God and didn't mind letting people know of her love for Jesus Christ, and she lived that life out in front of me, her family, co-workers, trainee, or supervisor, and we would "Talk It Out" and "Pray It Through" that is, until we got the victory in every situation and we did. I miss her so much my friend!

Sheila worked in human resources. She was an excellent HR Technician. She constantly dealt with the public in oftentimes very challenging situations, but handled herself and her job responsibilities with zest and a glorious smile! She kept her big Halle Berry smile going also which made it easy for her to talk to people, and tear down barriers even while they were being built.

I loved her zest for life, and the way she carried herself and handled herself with people and her family. Oh! How I loved that big Halle Berry smile! Thank you Lord even today for her lovely smile! The bible says of Enoch, and Enoch walked with God and was not for God took him! God also "took" Sheila. Sheila, as well, like Enoch, walked with God.

God is all powerful! God can heal any disease, even cancer. He chose to take Sheila. I believe today she is happy and so excited in the presence of God (Genesis 5.24 & Psalms 16.11) even as Enoch! To all who are in mourning as I was with Sheila whom I loved so dear, may this bring comfort and joy to you to end your mourning and let it "be" your answer as from the Infinite and "all loving" God.

However, just before meeting my friend, I had a big letdown just before Christmas. I had met this beautiful girl at work, and we had started liking each other, and we went on a date after work. We started talking over the phone after work and weekends. We had agreed to share Christmas gifts with each other and we did. We agreed to see each other on Christmas Eve. So, when Christmas Eve arrived I was waiting to receive a call from her about getting together. I didn't get the call so I called her. I got no answer. I called again and still no answer. I found out later that her old boyfriend had come back to town and I had gotten lost in the mix! Today, I'm so glad I got lost in the mix, but then, I was in pain and turmoil emotionally. But God, has reasons sometimes even in our pain and limited knowledge to see things as they really are.

I threw myself into the Christmas spirit as much as I could, though, being a Christian I was greatly hurt. I also could see why so many people committed suicide during the Christmas season due to all the loneliness and pain, though this did not cross my mind. However, I could see in vivid color how people come to do such an evil thing without knowing the love of God through His Son Jesus Christ, Who gives us strength to endure "all things" as is recorded in His word (1 Corinthians 13).

Through God's help, prayer, my family's love (though, not knowing my circumstances) believers at church, I came through the Christmas season intact and in great spirit to aid and help people rather than being a hindrance and liability in the things of God and for my fellow Christian brothers and sisters.

Attend the Christmas and New Year's services at church, hearing of God's love for all His children under dire circumstances; hang-ups, misery, despair, sinfulness—in spite of all, God is able to keep you, give you joy and meet all of your needs as you call out to Him with your problem, dilemmas, frustrated circumstances, and hopeless situations. He is there to lift you above them all.

He did that for me as I was going through all of this, just prior to meeting Sheila! I'm so glad I kept trusting in Jesus Christ and never gave up, even when it seemed so hard for me, and so frustrating, painful, and agonizing! God came through for me just as He said He would and I continue to believe and trust in Him today, though it's still not perfect and easy for me even now. Someone has said, "I'd rather go with Jesus a mile in the dark than to go with the devil and his crowd an inch in the light!

Again, God gave me hope, strength, and love in the midst of my troubles till I was able to genuinely smile again and become a...