I see it this week like split halves of my heart, the joy in warriors coming home.
Half my heart beats joy for two family friends, best friends to my husband, uncles to my children, and brothers to me. Friends we love deeply, who right this second are on wings over the ocean, returning home from a year long deployment. Friends who consistently and faithfully went above and beyond their assignments in Afghanistan as they not only performed missions required by their jobs, but also invested in the hearts of people around them. They shined Christ brighter than any mega-watt lightbulb. While they were candid about their struggles, they never complained about their circumstances. The Lord is mighty proud of His boys and no doubt cheers from heaven saying, “Well done, good and faithful servants!”
We make signs for them to celebrate a job well done. We will whoop and holler at the airport shouting, “Welcome home!”
Then there is the other half of my heart. It beats a different kind of joy for a warrior friend, Sara, stricken with a rare, systemic autoimmune disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. It is a disease that stems from her own immune system attacking her. You can read Sara’s story here. Although she has been homebound for years enduring tremendous pain, she lives more than most healthy people. At the core of her soul is the simple motto: Choose joy. And she lives it. While remaining candid and honest about her struggles and pain, she did not complain about her circumstances. She left her stamp across the hearts of many through the sincerest encouraging words as she reflected Jesus light and grace to everyone in her circle of influence. She is one of *the* brightest stars in the universe!
Soon, Sara is going home to heaven. And in her dying, she continues to teach me about living. How to care for others, how to preach the Gospel, and how not to fear.
{Skyping with Sara at the (in)courage beach retreat.}
I never met Sara in person, but I will miss my (in)courage sister. And while I’ve known her only a few months, it seems we’ve been friends forever.
Right now, signs in heaven are being made to celebrate a job well done. She will meet Jesus as her mighty proud Father cheers, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Welcome home!”
As I sit here with a heart torn, I find comfort in Ann Voskamp’s words from One Thousand Gifts:
“…that suffering nourishes grace, and pain and joy are arteries of the same heart –
and mourning and dancing are but movements in His unfinished symphony of
beauty. Can I believe the gospel, that God is patiently transfiguring all the
notes of my life into the song of His Son?”
I don’t know what your weekend holds, sweet girls. Maybe it holds soccer games or fall decorating. Maybe it holds hard conversations or colic-y babies. or Maybe you, too, have a “welcome home” of one kind or another in your midst. Wherever you are, I pray we both follow my warrior friends’ examples. In life and in death, may we have open palms to God, allowing Him to transfer all the notes of our lives into songs for Jesus.
{Click here to read more stories of how Sara has strengthened the hearts of many.}
Beautiful Friend : )
Luuuuuuuv you, Dearest!
Thank you for sharing your heart today. I understand having a split heart too. Love the signs of welcome home. And I’ve peeked in on Sara’s journey this week, and yes, she is a bright star. May God continue to use her life for all eternity. And thank you for sharing your life here. I hope we get to connect in person soon. Plane rides aren’t enough time. 🙂 Sending love your way, tiff
For all eternity…yes! And sending love right backatcha!
Oh, Kristen, you put these ‘welcome home’ messages in to words that make the heart ache.
A “hard eucharisteo” and a “joyful eucharisteo” both rolled into one heart wrenching post, and yet, even though it is a ‘hard eucharisteo’ it is also a joyful one as well.
(My cousin is soon off to Afghanistan… please be praying for Doug’s safe return)
That word eucharisteo is often on my mind, reminding me to be thankful in the easy and hard. They are so tied together, aren’t they?
And I’m praying for Doug right now, Sharon. Please tell him thank you for me!
Yesterday when I found out Sara (gitzengirl.blogspot.com) was dying, my heart ached. I can’t remember the last time my heart ached like that. I was one of the many people that was touched by Sara’s writing.
This is the first time in a long time my heart is filled with sorrow, but at the same time filled with joy. I am so saddened that Sara won’t be with us here on Earth much longer, but I am brimming with joy over the fact that the moment Sara leaves this Earth, she will be doing cartwheels through the gates of Heaven. And God will say to her, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
It’s hard to be joyful in the face of difficult circumstances, but Sara showed everyone that even through difficult times, you CAN choose joy. Having a chronic illness, being in constant pain, not being able to leave your home and still choosing joy? That’s Sara. And that’s why she has touched so many lives.
I have never met Sara and I don’t think she even knows I exist, but she has blessed me. Thank you, Sara.
“Joy: the unwavering trust that God knows what He’s doing and has blessed me with the opportunity to be a part of it… not despite what’s happening in my life but because of it. When everything earthly feels heavy He gives me an internal lightness that can’t be touched.” – Sara Frankl
Well said, Tay. And thank you for Sara’s quote here. A perfect summary of her life’s message and unwavering faith. A gift! Hugs to you, Friend.
As a fellow AS sufferer I’m devastated for Sara, but so glad to have “known” her. I’m choosing joy through the pain!