Lindsay's 31st Birthday!

Lindsay (center) with friends at Rock-N-Water, 2004

Today, Lindsay would have turned 31 years old! It's hard to imagine... since she was only 22 when she passed away... just a few weeks shy of her 23rd birthday. And although I only had the pleasure of meeting her once, I have learned so much about her and I admire her so much! In her short time on earth, she touched the lives of so many people with her character, her compassion, her grace and her faith. I am very grateful to God that I will get the chance to know her in heaven someday! I sometimes think of heaven as so far away... almost abstract because it isn't something I plan to see in the immediate future. But of course there is no way of knowing that! I could see heaven tomorrow! Obviously I've learned through this tragedy that life is short and very fragile! And with every heartbreak that I experience in this lifetime, I am reminded all the more of what we get to look forward to, as children of God! God's offer of salvation through Christ is so amazing! I am looking forward to heaven so much! I want to experience what God has planned for me here and I hope that I bring honor to Him with the life that I lead... but when my time on earth is finished, I am ready to go! Whether that is tomorrow or when I'm 100 years old. May His will be done!

I frequently read the blog of Angie Smith, the wife of Todd Smith who is the lead singer of the Christian group Selah. A few years ago, they lost a baby daughter to multiple birth defects. They knew early on in the pregnancy that she would not make it but they wanted as much time with her as possible. The day she was born, she was not supposed to survive the birth but she did for a few precious hours and her family was able to say their goodbyes. This experience obviously had a profound impact on the lives of the Smith family and they have given all glory to God for their daughter's life here on earth and especially her eternal life in heaven! Heaven is on their hearts and minds often... and recently Angie wrote this about the storms of life that cause us such gut-wrenching heartbreak and sorrow and why we still have such great hope because of Christ:

And always behind the storm, a voice whispers from eternity: It is worth the wait, love.

And so we remain, eyes soaked with tears and rain.

Believing beyond our momentary affliction that all-consuming glory is near.

It is so near, love.

Come, Lord Jesus... quickly...

That brings tears to my eyes every time I read it! It's the desperate longing to finally meet Jesus face-to-face and to reconnect with loved ones who have gone before us! I sincerely hope that everyone who reads this knows the Lord so they have this great hope as well! We have SO much to look forward to!

I pray that all who read this are inspired by Lindsay and the example she set in her short life here on earth! She had a tender and humble heart and was so unlike most 22-year-olds. She saw the beauty of nature and recognized it as God's handiwork. She viewed her life as a journey and knew that earth is not really where we belong... it is not "home"... but heaven is home! She was right with the Lord and very much looked forward to heaven! I greatly admire her faith and her gentle yet courageous spirit. She shined brightly in her life and shines even brighter in her eternal life! Happy Birthday Lindsay! You are greatly missed by all who knew and loved you and greatly admired by countless others! You have made an indelible impact on the world in ways you could never have imagined. And because of that, God has been glorified! I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you are humbled and honored by that.