On Sunday we will be using Hebrews 11 as a way in to thinking about the Bible as a 'holy, human story' with good, bad and ugly all seen in the lives of so many of the 'heroes' recorded therein.

This morning I received news that a faithful saint is at the close of her life, with probably only days left.  She is someone I got to know in Leicestershire and her birthday is the day after mine (she's almost exactly fifty years older than me).  Her long held dream of attending the 2012 Olympics will remain just that as her strength fades and she is drawn gently into eternity.  It is a sad moment, yet joy remains.

This practical, earthy saint with feet firmly on the ground will never be recalled as the stalwart of the Bible class or the prayer meeting.  She never taught Sunday school or served as a deacon.  She was one of the ranks of wives, mothers and grandmothers who simply got on with life against the tough background of a mining community with a gritty tenacity few now have need of.  I recall her telling me a couple of years ago, when she was quite ill, that she was 'ready either way' - to live was good, to die was fine.  I recall posting on those words because they were so profound.  Faith was not a big fuss and kerfuffle, it was just part of life.

Now that the door into eternity is ajar waiting for her to slip through into the safe embrace of God's love, I pray that she will remain assured that all is well and all will be well.  Well done good and faithful friend - go now to your eternal rest.