Another Angel <3 (from FB)

It is a curious thing the way man reacts to death. It sobers us up in a way little else can, and reminds us just how fragile our own lives are... challenges us to think about what we truely care about and hold dear... who it is we love.

But how does that whole love thing work? Last night, at our last sorority meeting of the semester, our graduating seniors spoke. As Brit shared her heart with us, I found myself wishing I had a pen, some paper.. anything to write down each word. As she spoke about the bonds of sisterhood, I found myself applying her words to every relationship in my life...

Love is more than just being nice, or wanting to be with someone when times are good. Love continues to love during the hard times, the messy times, the miserable times, the times when the other person is being a complete jerk. Love does what is best for the other person: whether it be supporting them, encouraging them, or letting them go. Love will fight to make things work and not give up, even when it wants to. 

Our relationships should be like that. So your 14 yr old brother wont stop poking you in the car... love him anyway. So your best friend was a jerk and made you cry till 3am... love him anyway. So your big brother didnt take you out on your special date... love him anyway. We should love as Christ loves: unconditionally. Be intentional and be vulnerable. WAIT!!! Your mind screams, that is how you get hurt!!!! But if you have never experienced pain, never experienced hurt, never experienced loss... how can you truely feel how wonderful love is? You cant. It isnt possible. The bad only makes the good that much more beautiful.

My friend Lauren was reunited with Christ yesterday, after several days in the ICU following a bad car wreck. I have no doubt that there were hundreds upon hundreds of people praying for her... but Gods answer to our pleas to heal her was to bring her home. But what an amazing gift... to be running the streets of gold today, as we sit here on earth. I cant help but be a little envious as she talks with God face to face today... But I know He is not ready for me to be home yet, it is not my time. But my time is coming, and it gets closer with each passing moment. If there is one thing I have learned from the 3 precious angels I was blessed to know on this earth... Ashley, Alicia, and Lauren, it is that every moment is precious and meant to be lived to the fullest. So last night, I made the apology I needed to make... I called/txtd/IMd those who I consider my nearest and dearest friends (thats right, if you heard about all this last night... then you mean a lot more to me than you probably know). I told my family I loved them... and I thanked God for all He has shown me and blessed me with in these 20 years. If I get another 20 years here on earth, I hope that I dont waste a moment of them... and if I dont have that long, well... I know where I will end up on the other side, and that will be the greatest gift of all.