Today would be my little sisters 33rd birthday here on this earth, but instead she’s in Heaven….at the best party ever!
I honor and remember the life of my dad and Melissa differently. The anniversary of my dad leaving this earth for Heaven is the day that I blog about him- June 15th. For Melissa…she left this earth on November 14th, 2010 but it’s on her birthday each year- January 31st- that I choose to honor her here on my blog.
My sister was sick for the majority of her life, therefore she had an understanding of life that most of us don’t- the preciousness of it- the frailty of it- the quickness of it. Everyday was gift…and she knew it.
Birthdays were a really big deal for her. She told me a few years ago that she would cry herself to sleep every year on her birthday. My heart hurt when I heard these words coming from her mouth….and I began to tell her that I thought this was a bad idea and not a very positive way of looking at life. Little did I know….my little sister was teaching me something so very valuable….something that I actually think more about these days.
Melissa was a fighter and a lover of life. She didn’t waste her days, especially if she felt strong enough to get out of the house that day. She got up- got ready-and spent most of her time volunteering in the church nursery…oh how she loved kids.
I prayed for her healing. I asked boldly. I asked many of you to pray for healing. Although Melissa’s healing didn’t happen in the way I was thinking it could- here on this earth- she did, however, get the ultimate healing the moment she took her last breath. I believe with all my heart that to be absent from the body- is to be present with the Lord. She is with Him….and my dad…today.
Many of you may be dealing with circumstances outside of your control and I am right there with you. I get it. What I do posses is a HOPE & PEACE as I continue walk through this loss of mine. I recently lost a sweet little friend of mine just days before Christmas this year- miss Lenya Lusko– and even still….Christ is the anchor of my soul.
Although it was hard to walk through another loss so close to me- I was just reminded all over again of such powerful truths. Pastor Greg Laurie spoke to our church and these were a few of my favorite quotes from him::
“An early death….is an early crown.”
“Maybe we should call life on earth the ‘before life’ instead of calling Heaven the afterlife. Heaven is LIFE.”
A few years ago, I came across this quote from Louie Giglio and it has healed my heart on so many sad days.
“Sure God can change the circumstance- and we pray that He would- and sometimes He does, but the Cross is proof that He doesn’t always change the circumstance. But it is proof that He always has a purpose in every circumstance.” -Louie Giglio
Life here on this earth isn’t perfect. We’ve always been told “Choose your battles” but some battles choose us.
Will your Faith remain in tact in the midst of trials and struggles? Or will we blame Him?
Out of our pain, new places for Christs comfort have been born. Out of our cries to Him, new answers are born.
As I reflect on life today…..I am praying for each of you. If you do not know God….in honor of Melissa, my dad and little Lenya I must end this post with an opportunity for you to meet the only Anchor that can sustain us in our times of grief. Click HERE.
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Sweet sister, I miss you with all of my heart. I think of you daily. Even though I want you back- I know you want me with you even more…..and that drenches my heart with Peace….knowing that you are with Christ and He is with you. I love you…. XOXO
Jennifer Lake - I struggle with seeing my friends put such a focus on this one day of the year, as well. That being said, this is such a beautiful reminder. xo.