Sep 5

Written by:
9/5/2010 7:43 PM 

I’d like to dedicate this blog entry to my friend, Kristy.  Kristy and I met in High School.  We weren’t close friends, but we shared a class or two together.  We sat next to each other and laughed together.  She didn’t spend much time at school as she was only there part time, but the time that I did spend with her was really fun. 

A few months ago, I re-connected with Kristy through Facebook.  It’s a bit mind-boggling at how Facebook has affected my life.  That’s a whole different blog.  Kristy and I talked online, and in October of 2009, she came to my house to show the jewelry products she sold.  We also spent time together at my high school reunion in February, 2010.  We talked about getting together again—after she returned from the cruise that she and her husband were about to take. 

During that vacation, Kristy discovered a lump in her breast.  That was the beginning of the most painful journeys anyone would ever have to travel.  She was diagnosed with cancer and began numerous chemotherapy treatments.  She kept an online journal where she shared the ups and downs that she was experiencing.  Through it all, Kristy never let her faith waiver.  She certainly felt fear and sadness, but she always trusted God to be in control.  On July 23, Kristy wrote:

Ok, two words:  CANCER FREE!  I can't believe it!  I am still in shock.  God is so amazing!  This morning before my appointment I read from Beth Moore: Romans 9:33 "As it is written: Look! I a putting a stone in Zion to stumble over, and a rock to trip over, yet the one who believes on Him will not be put to shame."  Then the explanation was: If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn't or you have the faith to tell a mountain to move and it won't, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead and see Him transfigured.  Either way, the mountain is under your feet. It is really amazing to me how God works.  I knew that God could take this cancer away with a word, just like He could and DID create this world with a word.  But there is always this little part of you that thinks that why would He worry about little me? 

On August 10, Kristy had a mastectomy.  She wrote that as she was wheeled into the O.R., she listened to the 365 names of God on her mp3 player.  The surgery appeared to be successful.  On August 19, Kristy couldn’t get rid of an extremely painful headache.  She was re-admitted to the hospital.  On August 26, Kristy’s husband, Dale, wrote how the doctors had found cancer cells in her brain and spinal fluid.  They originally hoped to give her chemotherapy directly into the brain, however seizures and other complications made it impossible.  Today, Sunday September 5, Dale has written on his Facebook wall that he is in the hospital with Kristy.  Her lungs are filling with fluid and she has a fever.  She will be with Jesus soon.

A few weeks ago, I posted in my blog that life is too short to miss opportunities to show love.  For Kristy, she never missed those opportunities.  When you were around her, she made you feel like you were her best friend.  She had an infectious laugh that I will always carry with me.  I have said before, that if I were to ever find myself in a similar tragic turn of events as Kristy, I would hope that I would have even a fraction of the testimony she has had. 

When I sat down to write tonight, I was feeling bad about myself.  I had just returned from an afternoon that left me feeling inadequate and, frankly, a big loser.  Then I read through Kristy’s journal.  Her words reminded me that the love of Jesus is far greater than any love here on earth.  He actually sees me and knows my flaws and still loves me—even to the end of life and beyond.  There is no greater love than that.  Kristy has given me a gift she will never know:  The gift of the knowledge of the love of Jesus.   Tonight, I will find comfort in His arms.  Tonight I will rest in His love.  

And Kristy?  I can’t wait for the day that we will be able to laugh together again.  I love you, sister in Christ.