“When I became Nancy’s pastor she had lived longer than all her friends and almost all her family. Though cheerful and full of grace, she was tired. She would speak openly of her desire to die and enter heaven. She would say things like “I keep wondering why I’m still here” and “I gotta say, I’m a bit disappointed I woke up this morning.” As a young minister heavily practiced in encouraging people to find meaning and purpose in life, I struggled immensely with how to minister to Nancy. I wanted everyone in my ministry to live with the kind of hope that transformed their daily lives and made them active in the mission of Jesus. […]”