This is a hard post to write. In fact, for the last few weeks, any posts have been hard to write and I’ve actually missed publishing a few.
My sister went to be with Jesus recently. She’s the one who I dedicated a post to back in 2020 on her birthday, January 21.
I miss her. She was not only my sister, but she was my friend. She prayed with me and for me. She encouraged me and admonished me. She loved Jesus. And I know she loves Him now more fully than ever.
Her diagnosis gave her 6 months to live. She prayed for healing. She prayed that she would be able to raise her family. God gave her 13 years. The doctors didn’t know what to do with her.
She raised her children. And she did it well. They love Jesus and praise Him even in the midst of their pain.
It hurts to mourn. And as I write this, the tears are coming again. I thought I was mostly done with that. But, there is a time for everything…a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:4).
Even so, we do not mourn as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). This life is temporary. We know that.
Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit (John 12:24).
In the last few weeks, I have been amazed. I am watching as prayers are answered that my sister had been praying for my family and prayers that she and I were praying together.
My sister was a pray-er. She prayed. If I had a concern, I knew to call her in on it. I don’t think I did that enough.
I’m truly blown away how many prayers of hers I’m seeing God answer so quickly.
Sure, there’s more to go, but what I’ve seen in the past weeks amazes me.
These are prayers I’ve known about. What about all her other prayers? What are other people seeing? I can’t help but wonder.
We are seeds, grains of wheat, here on earth. We shall be changed (1 Corinthians 15:52).
We fall to the ground, lose our shell, and rise up with a new body, with new life.
I’ve watched that happen these weeks. God is faithful.

I’ve said I’m blown away and amazed. But I’m also convicted. My sister never stopped pressing into the Lord, seeking Him, proclaiming His goodness.
She never stopped putting others first in the midst of her own weakness. She never stopped laying down her life for others.
And even now, especially now, the fruit — the love — of her life is on display by our God.
Thank You, Father. Your Word stands forever.
Holy Spirit, remind me to never stop praying, to never forget all Jesus has taught me, to never stop putting others first, to never stop expecting and knowing that my Father answers prayer, to never stop loving.