This past Wednesday, a good friend of mine lost her sweet sister. A brand new bride. An aunt. A daughter. Such a delightful young woman.
I didn't know Lauren very well, but I spent the majority of our first year of our new adventure here in Kentucky with her sister, Amanda. Amanda, Heidi, and I would gather each week in Heidi's basement to pray, to cry, to laugh, to talk about our weeks, just to do life together. Such a special bond was created. Amanda has a heart like Jesus, and she taught me a ton, along with Heidi, about what really matters, about brining God glory with our everyday lives.
So, today, as I hugged Amanda and cried with her at the visitation for her beautiful sister, I was taken right back to our basement conversations. I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that at the center of her tears was a firm hope, a resounding hope, one that NEVER FAILS in Christ.
And, the best part is that Lauren held that same promise.
I guess what I'm trying to process today is the opposite circumstance. How, with no hope in Jesus, no firm foundation on his promises, no banking on his resurrection, which in turn is ours, how in the world could someone carry on through a circumstance as tragic? I just don't think it's possible.
Please, if you happen upon this blog somehow and don't yet know for sure how you feel about Jesus, whether you believe that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), will you please take some time today to think about Him? Will you please ask questions, do some research, open His Word, take a walk in His creation, whatever best helps you see Him?
Because, as this week has reminded us all, our lives are mists that appear for a little while and then vanish (James). So, it would be foolish for us to live without a hope that actually lasts past this life.
Just something to think about....
Love you all.
2 comments:
Friend, I have been trying to process this and write about it, but I haven't yet. You said it so beautifully and truthfully. Love you.
wow, stef, what a time right now... isn't it crazy how we can celebrate life and the joys of all the goodness of our God, and then in the next breath we fall so hard on His grace and hope in such an opposite way--but equally as good, even when it's so hard... i'm so thankful He is big enough to encompass all that we need! you're right, how does anyone move on after something like this? i'm saying a prayer for you to have wisdom and words/actions of comfort for your friend. and i'm praying for your friend to experience the grace, hope and peace of our saving God in ways she never imagined! i love your honesty and the way you share your heart--please, don't stop. it's always encouraging to me! love you, friend.
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