Call it what you may – blasphemy, heresy...what you may. But given certain events, we cannot but ask ‘why?!’. Here is one such event.

 

Dear friends, no sooner than Sunday, 6^th February 2005 dawned. A promising young African went to sleep. Mr Alieu B. Cole, the man we know and love. The man who in his cheerful humility brings a cheer and a smile to the most downcast face. Promising, reliable, friendly, charming, a staunch Muslim and respecter of humanity has done his part. He came (obviously heaven sent), touched lives and like the angel he is has probably gone too soon. We never have enough of something good, do we?

 

When faced with such, we often times turn to God who gave, in deep anger, asking why? At least, I did. Then this came to mind:

 

Ecc 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecc 3:2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

 

Ecc 12:7  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

 

Ours is to cherish the memories and learn from such a saintly life. To thank God for such a gift – a gift of love, of a wealth of knowledge, of an aspirant friend. From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same…he will be remembered! May our fond memories of him be our comfort, as I’m certain that from somewhere he looks down at us saying:

 

The view is clear…and I am doing just fine. Keep your heads high

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

"Being yourself is what you are being when you aren`t even trying"

 To his family, “He (God) Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support” Heb. 13.5. May your troubled heart find peace and comfort in the knowledge that you are never alone. May God's presence ease your trembling spirit and give you rest. He knows how you feel. He is ever aware of our circumstances and ready to be your strength, your grace, and your peace. He is there to cast sunlight into all of your darkened shadows, to send encouragement through the love of friends and family, and to replace your weariness with new hope.

God is your stronghold, and with Him as your guide, you need never be afraid. No circumstances can block His love. No grief is too hard for Him to bear. No task is too difficult for Him to complete. When what you are feeling is simply too deep for words and nothing anyone does or says can provide you with the relief you need, God understands. He is your provider -- today, tomorrow, and always. And He loves you. Cast all of your cares on Him...   and believe.

 

THANKS BE TO GOD!

 

R.I.P

Our Friend