A girl that I and my sister went to high school with passed away yesterday morning. She found out at the age of 17 that she had bone cancer. For six years she fought it, beat it, relapsed and fought. I would glance over the emails forwarded to me and give up a quick prayer but not once did I ever feel that she would really be gone at the young age of 23. Her name was Ashley Holmertz. She played soccer, loved God, children, family, books and friends, and from what I have read, impacted more lives with her vibrancy, faithfulness and joy through all she went through. I didn't know her, she wasn't my friend, but she was my sisters friend and I am compelled to write a few words for them both. Had I known her well I could only imagine the impact she would have had on my life.
Just in looking at some things written about her and to her, I can tell that this is the kind of person God doesn't wait on for 80 years . Her purpose is fulfilled on earth and now she is away from her pain ready to serve God with her greater purpose. My heart breaks thinking of all the things that she will miss here on earth. Children, her own family, Christmases, the falling of the leaves, a good book, the pitter pat of rain on the windows. All the little things she probably paid so much attention to in those last days, she will never see again. Then again, my heart rejoices. When you see her picture, you see a light that is not meant to be here so again, my heart rejoices knowing that she gets to feel more joy than she ever exuded. How can you not rejoice. God saved her from her pain. He rewarded her. She fought and believed through it all for Him and her faithfulness has taken her home.
I pray that her family keeps their faith because in times like these it's easy to ask "Why?" and it's even easier to be angry instead of understanding. In times like these people lose their faith after giving it so much effort. I pray that they hold on to each other through this and ask that God will bless them in a way that they could never EVER imagine.
Peacfully rest now Ashley.
Just in looking at some things written about her and to her, I can tell that this is the kind of person God doesn't wait on for 80 years . Her purpose is fulfilled on earth and now she is away from her pain ready to serve God with her greater purpose. My heart breaks thinking of all the things that she will miss here on earth. Children, her own family, Christmases, the falling of the leaves, a good book, the pitter pat of rain on the windows. All the little things she probably paid so much attention to in those last days, she will never see again. Then again, my heart rejoices. When you see her picture, you see a light that is not meant to be here so again, my heart rejoices knowing that she gets to feel more joy than she ever exuded. How can you not rejoice. God saved her from her pain. He rewarded her. She fought and believed through it all for Him and her faithfulness has taken her home.
I pray that her family keeps their faith because in times like these it's easy to ask "Why?" and it's even easier to be angry instead of understanding. In times like these people lose their faith after giving it so much effort. I pray that they hold on to each other through this and ask that God will bless them in a way that they could never EVER imagine.
Peacfully rest now Ashley.
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