What Today Did Not Change

One year ago today, I lost a friend and fellow servant. I spent most of the night and following days at the hospital with the family that we had come to know through a Divine appointment. I clearly remember Marianne spending her last afternoon working in the preschool room with Shannon at our small store-front in the mall. Her eagerness to serve others and love for God was evident even on her last day with us. That day one year ago, changed a lot of things.

But there are some things that it did not change:

• It did NOT change my mission. I have little doubt that Marianne truly believed that the greatest offer that a person could make to someone else was to invite them to follow Christ. Though she is not here, my mission is still to give everyone, every where, every reason to want to follow Jesus.
  
• It did NOT change my resolve. It was a big blow to me, my wife, and everyone in our young church. Not to mention her family. She left a big hole. But like Paul, we press on. No greater honor could we show to Marianne than to continue with the work that she played a role in starting.
• It did NOT change my faith in God. He knows that life is often filled with curves that are sometimes hard to navigate. Yet, he knows our struggles and stands near us with a comforting hand reminding us that he is still near. (Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.) The world is constantly changing but my faith rests in a God that does not change (Heb. 13:8)
  

Today reminds me that each day brings me one day closer to my last. May I live each one well.