Welcome to another blessed Faith Blog Hop. This month we are focusing on the theme of Fear and we pray you find hope in the midst of any fear you may be experiencing. Join us as we showcase the talent the Lord has given us through projects that reflect what we know about God. The hop begins over at www.mypapertreehouse.blogspot.com, so if you just happened to find this blog, make sure to go on over there first. I'm the last stop on this wonderful hop so, if you came from (_________) blog, you are in the right place! Know that we are praying for you!
I know that you have read the write-up for the blog hop, so I'll jump right into what I'd like to share with you. I pray that I will communicate fully what I am feeling as this is EXTREMELY difficult for me right now. I've seen a lot of death over the years especially during the month of October which by the way is my birth month. This year ALONE, five beautiful people have died and it's just been plain ROUGH!
On this past week, a young lady, aged 39 years old, ended her battle with breast cancer. Now, some would say that cancer is a HUGE fear. We even have cancer insurance policies to cover expenses associated with cancer. We are tested regularly to make sure cancer is not present. We change our diets, stop smoking, and even (shhh!!!) exercise. Now, those things are good, don't get me wrong HOWEVER outside of Christ, they are NOTHING. We are NOTHING!!! Doing these things cannot and will not save you.
Those who knew this young lady and the family had the privilege of seeing her live out her last days for Jesus ALL THE WAY TO THE END. She never showed the pain that she felt inside. She always had a smile on her face. The most moving and touching piece of this story is the LOVE that her younger sister showed for her. They were able to stare death in the face and say, I'm not giving up. When God says I'm done, THEN I'm done.
Now, my fear since a little girl has been death. I was tormented by thoughts of dying and being eternally separated from Christ forever. My father, used to tell me, satan is not going to bother those who he has. It has taken me QUITE some time to understand what he was trying to tell me. Even longer has the time been to the point of resting in the assurance of salvation. Seeing this young lady battle like a true WARRIOR has helped me focus my attention on Christ and what was done for me all those years ago.
This is my tribute to this young lady who stared my fear in the face and spoke the Word. I have included pictures from the the sisters' Facebook pages (with their permission) as well as words they have posted. This is going to be compiled into a book for the family so that they can remember the days when they walked through the valley of the shadow of death. For they feared no evil for HE was with them. Rest our dear sister for your work is done. Enjoy the Father and know that because of your life, many will come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. What a legacy!!!
Here is a song from one of my favorite artists, Mr. Daryl Coley. I pray that it will bless your very soul.
Thanks for stopping by.
Love in Christ,
11 comments:
Oh My Goodness Christel, you have me in tears...TFS your soul and such a beautiful story of Faith and love!
I am so sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful testimony for this family. What an amazing tribute. my prayers are with you and her family.
On one hand it is so sad that your friend died at such a young age, an age where so much could have been accomplished for the Lord here on earth. Only God knows who will be affected by her death and may come to know Him because of her witness during this process.
On the other hand she has graduated and is singing with the angels!!!
New International Version (©1984)
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 1 Corinthians 15:55
for me it is not the FEAR of dying..I just do not want to die before I experience my grandsons growing up and becoming men who love the Lord. I hear people all the time who say.."I can't wait until the Lord comes again." or "I can't wait to go to be with Jesus" and I am thinking.."Hey I want to LIVE! here on earth and I am just not ready yet. Sure streets of gold sound intriguing and meeting the Apostle Paul and reuniting with family and ultimately standing before my Lord and Savior. But my head, while believing all of that is true, just keeps saying if eternity is what it is then why can't I stay here for a while and enjoy this aspect of my creation.? Then Satan jumps in and has a field day trying to make me feel guilty for wanting to stay. So it is what it is..I love the Lord with all my heart and I am trying to show Him more and more everyday but He is the one who gave me family and friends and gsons to enjoy, He is the one who gave me the benevolent heart and the caregiver spirit so I hope He allows me to stay for a while and share His goodness to others. So Fearing death? No I don't fear it right now..I am just not in a hurry for it and I think that is normal.
You have a wonderful spirit Christal..just know that God wants for you too and if some day you come face to face with death you will reach deep and lean on those everlasting arms for strength. Until then just keep busy doing His will and you will be fine..
transport7800@aol.com
http://mawmawsthoughts.blogspot.com
follower
Wow thanks for putting so much thought into sharing very touching.
Thank you so much for sharing your story :) lindaplusthree at yahoo dot com
Wow! what a legacy she will leave for her family. and I think it was so beautiful of you to do this for her family and in her memory. Even in her time of death she had no fear. How beautiful is that in and of itself???
Love you sister!
Zeni
What an awesome story Christel! So touching! It should make me sad that she died so young, but I feel almost envious! That she had the faith that she did and that she no longer has to fear anything this world has to offer. Thanks so much for sharing this sweet post.
rebeccadunham at hotmail dot com
Christel, I know that you have been going through some tough times.. thank you for sharing that beautiful story. Her life was not lived in vain, because even in her death her life is causing others to have faith... :) I am convinced that the Lord is pleased with her and now her body has been made perfect.. Praise Him! :)
I was truly touche and thanks so much for sharing!
So sorry for the loss of your friend. It's always hard to loose a loved one. But it's a comfort to know she's with our Father in Heaven. Although that doesn't mean the hurt is getting less, by knowing that.
Such a loving testimony! Thanks for sharing.
Wendy
Thank you for sharing such a difficult story. I am praying for you and those who have been touched by her life and death, as well as the others you mentioned.
Post a Comment