Monday, March 10 would have been Roger Bennett's 49th birthday. On March 17, he'll celebrate his first anniversary of residency in a far better place. So this span of seven days is a bittersweet time for those who could claim friendship.
Natalie Harp is a 16-year old Southern Gospel music fan from San Diego, California. In memory of Roger, she shares this poem with the readers of Danny's Diary.
Our Loss, but Heaven's Gain
It was our loss, but Heaven's gain
When you walked through those golden gates
You finished strong in the faith
Well done, faithful servant, you have won the race
And though it is our loss, it is Heaven's gain.
Your life was a testimony of reliance upon God
Though your body was weak, your faith was strong
You sang with conviction of His closeness to you
And with power you sang about His victorious truth.
You faithfully listened to His whispers in the night
He was there for you all throughout your fight
He held you firmly and securely in His strong, tender grip
You read the back of the book and knew one day you would win.
During your life you proclaimed from the housetops that Jesus saves
And now you are experiencing unspeakable joy, free from all pain
You are in the city called homeland, you are home free
My hero of the faith, you are now with those saints in glory.
My life has been forever changed by your testimony
You lived your life in His grace, giving Him all the glory
You allowed the Lord to refine you as pure gold through the fire
And one day you will see all the faces of those you've inspired.
You've left behind a legacy of faith in the Lord
It is being lived out in those you have touched now and forevermore
We look forward to the day when we see you once again
For we miss you so, our dear, faithful friend.
It was our loss, but Heaven's gain
When you walked through those golden gates
You finished strong in the faith
Well done, faithful servant, you have won the race
And though it is our loss, it is Heaven's gain.
Well said, Natalie. Well said.
