Into the Fire

I don’t know if you’ve been able to visit Kristy Dykes’ blog (CHRISTIAN LOVE STORIES), but I hope you aren’t avoiding it or feel like you like don’t have time for it. Some of the posts are brief, others lengthy. There’s some family history there, some family member posts, and a variety of photos from past and present.

One of Kristy’s daughters, Jennifer, posted about the aggressive brain cancer that Kristy has and in her honesty she said she began to feel as if this particular cancer was bigger than God because it just didn’t leave many survivors unless it was caught and removed immediately upon discovery. My niece does radiation therapy, and she knew the cancer well and its usual prognosis of death in a relatively short period of time. Kristy’s daughter concluded she was not going to allow this disease to be stronger in her mind than God, and she found a spiritual place to rest in hope for her mom.

One of the blessings of reading this lady’s blog is to hear the trials and triumphs of Kristy, her husband Milton, their family members, and close friends in Christ. And that’s it, isn’t it? IN CHRIST. When it all points to death, is there any solace, any hope, any comfort for those with the affliction and for those who will be left behind should this victim of the disease be taken?

If ever there can be a graceful way to head into the valley of the shadow of death, this lady, this pastor’s wife, this mother and grandmother, this friend, this author and speaker, this gal is exemplifying that grace-filled journey. She is utterly amazing. Don’t think by this post that there haven’t been soul-straining tears streaming from all concerned or the questions that inevitably come when the life of a person in their prime filled with a near unmatchable vibrancy is threatened. Her blog is now dedicated to the walk through this valley with unlimited hopes and prayers for a miraculous healing—for which I’ve asked every casual reader of my blog and my short list of precious regulars to participate in—yet honestly sharing those moments of overwhelming darkness when death seems to be camping right outside their door.

I’d just like to urge you once more to go over to Kristy’s blog and get a reality check. The young don’t often address death, and who can blame them? Unless a horrible event or tragedy changes their focus and brings them into the shadows of death, they continue to live strong and work hard—and rightly so. I know I did. But the years pile up and whiz by and suddenly death is more common in our midst, and it challenges how we really feel about our Lord, about heaven, and, yes, about the equally real place of hell. Sometimes we forget about that place where many of our fellow men and women will spend eternity. Those even in our families without a life-changing experience with Jesus are headed there, not to mention some of our co-workers, those random clerks in the stores we visit regularly. It truly is one place or the other in the aftermath of that last breath. Taken quickly or slowly or in the blink of an eye, eternity awaits. We can’t avoid it or look past it. Sometimes it stops right at our door. Only God will decide which day it will visit us.

I don’t know if God will take Kristy home now or later, but I’m praying she has many more years left here to share because the world is a better place with her in it. She’s one of those rare finds—a genuine cheerleader, one who shines with the love of Jesus, who radiates an inescapable joy obvious even in crisis. She’s a role model for happiness. So few can transmit that kind of good feeling these days. And this world needs more of those kinds of people in it.

When it all points to death, your glory can be evidenced either way, I know. But, Lord, we ask for your mercy extended to Kristy that she might accomplish even more for you than she has already done. We need more people like her here. You are the only One who can touch her body and make it whole. You’re the only One who can grant healing. You’re the only One. That’s why so many are asking You. In the Name of your Son Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.