We knew it was coming. She left peacefully. Rev. Patricia Harper Bergsland went home today. Yes, she finally made it home. What an amazing woman she was—a strong, Godly woman who loved Jesus above all. Thankfully, I was second on her list.

We had a wonderful 44 years together. I asked her to marry me 44 years ago yesterday, as I recall. I knew the call on her life then. The church fought her a great deal, but the Lord had other plans. I wish you could have seen her leadership and anointed shepherding of Crown of Thorns, our church in Albuquerque from the early 90s to 2005. That was her call—counseling, guiding, rebuking, and encouraging the sheep she was given to care for. I’m grateful that I have seen how a truly called pastor functions. Of course, she was too modest to believe it. She always saw herself as a nobody [as I also see the two of us]. But the fruit of her work will become apparent someday.

In recent years the Lord has radicalized both of us

Taking care of her was a truly fulfilling joy. She helped the Lord teach me how to love. We have never been closer. She had become much more anointed in talking to anyone about Jesus—anywhere, anytime. We’re both convinced that the time is short. If you want to get in on the Rapture, you need to get your life straight with Jesus. You can go through the tribulation if that’s what you want. But our prayer is that you have more sense than that. But you need to know Jesus personally, and you need to be watching and waiting for His call.

I miss her terribly. But I know I’ll see her again. The Lord is covering the pain for the moment, and I’m grateful. He’s given me a lot to do. So, my mind will not be tormenting me.