When I saw on the caller ID that my brother was calling me, I knew I had to answer even though I was in the middle of a meeting. He phoned to update me on our mother’s condition. She had started morphine a few days earlier and hadn’t eaten since. He warned me to be ready to hop on a plane at a moment’s notice.

It’s been a few days since that phone call, and Mom has slightly rebounded, meaning I probably won’t have to fly across the Atlantic this week. But as I write these words, I have no idea how much time Mom has left. It could be a matter of days or weeks. I continue to be involved in the ministry, knowing that the time will come when I’ll have to cancel my activities and quickly return to the States.

Yet, instead of being overwhelmed by sorrow and despair, I am filled with peace. This peace comes from the promises of God that we have in Jesus.

Knowing that Mom has been reconciled to God thanks to her faith in Jesus dramatically impacts how I view her slow march toward death. I know where she is going—straight into the arms of her Lord. Death only brings an end to the first act of our existence. It’s a door that ushers us into eternity. Therefore, I have no reason to fear or fall into despair.

The night before His crucifixion, Jesus shared many important truths with His disciples. He knew the horrors they would face less than twenty-four hours later and wanted them to stand firm in their faith. In John 14:27, He promised to give them peace of mind and heart. Despite all the hardships they were about to face, He wanted them never to forget that they had no reason to fear because He was always with them.

This promise also relates to my current situation with my mother. I know her eternity is safe. I also know that as I go through the path before me, God will be close every step of the way.