Good morning…
“Happy Easter,” Jennifer DeShelter texted yesterday, sharing a photo taken with her son and husband outside of Northside Church. “Missing our Audrey from last year.” (As you likely remember, Audrey went to heaven in June, just ten hours before her 20th birthday.)
“I love both of your Easter pictures,” I replied. “So many beautiful memories to soothe the sorrows.”
“I liked today’s sermon,” Jennifer continued. “I even wrote it down: ‘As Christians, the darkest time is never the final chapter in our lives. We serve the Lord who can give us eternal life, even after our earthly days. Even on the dark days here on earth, we are never outside the realm of God’s love and grace. We are not alone.’ I thought about all the dark times Audrey went through, but her eyes were always focused on Jesus. She was never alone in her suffering.”
“Arlington Memorial Park (where Audrey’s body is buried) was supposed to have an outdoor sunrise service for Easter at 6:30 am,” Jennifer explained. “We got there and it was cancelled due to rain.”
“Then you went to Northside and took this beautiful photo of the three of you, connecting it to last year’s precious photo of the three of you,” I texted. “I am glad Dr. Bill’s sermon spoke to your heart, reminding you of Audrey’s incredible ability to focus on Jesus during her darkest hours. She discovered Easter’s biggest blessing: ‘We are never alone in our suffering.’ Audrey lived that truth so beautifully and continues to inspire us from heaven.”
“It brings me so much comfort to know that Audrey’s story didn’t end at her darkest hour,” wrote Jennifer.
“Gorgeous realization,” I responded. “Might I blog about these thoughts we are sharing? I think God’s most significant truths lie in these words: ‘Just like Jesus on the cross, Audrey’s story didn’t end at her darkest hour.’ If it is true for Jesus and for Audrey, might it be true for all of us?”
Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ… All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful (2 Corinthians 4:5-6, MSG).
I can only imagine Audrey’s exuberant joy as she woke up with Jesus on her first Easter in heaven!
…Sue…
