Anita died this morning at 6:30 a.m. She was 97 years old.  She will never be written about in a history book or be remembered for some outstanding or incredible feat.

But, in my book, she was a hero. For the last ten years or so I have been visiting her in her small, one room apartment at a senior living facility.  Although I would go there under the auspices of bringing her a Word and giving her Holy Communion to “lift her up,” I was the one who always left her place “lifted up.”

We always made small talk. But she could never wait to get to the “main event” of receiving The Lord’s Supper.  I’ve only known a few people that seemed to have the faith she did.  And yet whenever we finished our little Communion service together she would pray the words:  “God, be merciful to me a sinner.  Lord, I believe; help Thou my unbelief.”

While they may not sound like it, those are words of strong faith. Anita recognized she was a sinner.  She recognized that though her faith was strong, she did have her moments of doubt.

Whenever she received Communion, Anita couldn’t help but lay herself bare before the Lord and as for His mercy, forgiveness, and strength for her faith.

Now the prayer has been answered in a far greater way than Anita could have ever imagined. There’s no more need for faith.  She sees the Lord with her own eyes.

There’s no more need for mercy. Death has turned for her into eternal life.

There’s no more need for forgiveness. This earthly struggle is now over.  She lives in the perfection that has been given to her as a gift by her Heavenly Father through the blood of Jesus.

Welcome home, Anita.