For Tiffany.

I had one of those moments today when my mortality comes very quickly to mind. I was on a plane touching down at DFW and upon landing, the aircraft began to skew violently from side to side. For a minute or two I was pretty sure we were going to crash. Being in the very last seat at the very back of the plane didn't help much to calm my nerves. I began to pray out loud, very loud. I don't believe I have ever prayed so spontaneously. The words literally came flying out of my mouth. I didn't care who heard me.  As I began to pray the careening plane began to slow down and right itself. My daughter swears I was speaking in tongues, but the only words I remember coming out of my mouth were in plain English and the only thought I really remember is "I can't believe this is happening." I was all of a sudden very aware of my mortality. I believe in that moment the Lord came very near to me.
I have been thinking a lot about mortality this week. A couple of days ago a friend of mine passed away at the very young age of 35. Actually I only met her once, and that was at my grandmother's funeral three years ago. She came with my sister and shared our grief for a while. After that we became facebook friends. I knew she was battling breast cancer. I don't think I ever knew anybody who fought harder than Tiffany against the disease. I never met anyone who used her faith as fully as Tiffany did. She leaned on that faith. She used it to inspire others, even though she was in the midst of great, great tribulation herself.
My family went through a very difficult time last year. In the midst of death, and unemployment, sorrow, financial hardship, and just plain trouble, I would sometimes feel sorry for myself. I would crawl in my bed and cry and turn on Facebook. And there would be Tiffany. Every single time. Shining through her pain and struggle, her faith would inspire me to pick up my cross and carry it another day. My perspective would change, my vision would clear and I would realize there are far harder things than unemployment. And if she could be so clear minded, that what excuse had I for my pity party.
I prayed for her for three years. Some mornings I would wake up and she would be the first thing on my mind. I rejoiced with her when things went well, and I worried for her when things didn't go well. I worried for her babies, and I worried for her husband. And all the time I prayed, joining with the many, many voices of her friends.
I wondered, when I learned of her passing, were those prayers heard? Because I prayed for life, and yet she died, does that mean my prayers were unanswered? As I thought about this, I knew the answer was a resounding yes to the first question and no to the second. My prayers, and those of her loved ones, were heard. Our requests did not go unanswered. How do I know this? I thought of the many times that she was in anguish, and requested prayer, or hurting and requested prayer, or just tired and needed lifting up. Over and over as she needed strength, we would pray, and over and over again I saw her pop back up, ready to take on whatever was coming at her next. Our prayers gave her strength, gave her life. God definitely heard our prayers. Her race was long, and her race was difficult, but I have to say I don't think I ever met anyone who fought with more grace, or more dignity. She fought some wild beasts. And she overcame with the powerful testimony of her mouth. I believe she now joins that "great cloud of witnesses" that cheer us on, Abraham, Sarah, Noah, Enoch, Isaac and Jacob. And Tiffany.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11 vs 13-15