“Every step on your life-journey can be a step of faith. Baby steps of trust are simple for you; you can take them with almost unconscious ease. Giant steps are another matter altogether: leaping across chasms in semidarkeness, scaling cliffs of uncertainty, trudging through the the valley of the shadow of death.”
Sarah Young, Jesus Calling (September 25)
A little more than two weeks ago, I logged into Skype and set up a call with Sara. For about 30 seconds, it was just the two of us – she on her bed in Iowa and me on the coast of South Carolina. I carried my laptop up the stairs to the deck of the beach house, the ocean wide and sparkling behind me. It was a beautiful day.
“It’s so beautiful!” she said, “and so are you! Look at you there…” She paused between the words, needing a breath just to finish that short sentence. I had never spoken with her before that, and I knew my friends who were with me were waiting for me to come back down so they could see her, too. I had a fleeting urge to carry that laptop back to my room and sit with her alone, just to know her and to hear her speak. Joy poured out from the screen and I didn’t expect it. I don’t know why I was surprised by it.
Sara has been sick for a very long time. Due to her illness, she has been homebound for years – even the outside air harmful to her. So she couldn’t come with us on our retreat – one of thousands of places Sara hasn’t been able to go. If anyone had grounds to choose sorrow or bitterness or anger or fear, Sara did.
But Sara chose joy.
And I will never forget her for that. Saturday night, Sara breathed out one last breath of this toxic earth air and breathed in the first sweet, clean, fresh air of heaven. She is free and healed. And she will be missed. Many have written about Sara – many who knew her much better than I did. I’m adding my small voice to the chorus this morning, celebrating her life and her final freedom.
Beautiful words Emily. I did not know Emily well and doubt she knew how very much she touched me by her words, her faith, or resolve to choose joy in the midst of her circumstances. I will forever be grateful that I happened upon her blog. Her legacy of joy will live on in the hearts of all who love her for eternity!
I’m so happy for her healing, and so sorry for your loss.
It’s just a matter of time, now, and in the scope of eternity, it’s not even the blink of an eye, is it, till we all inhale Spirit and Life together.
What an example Sara is for all of us who are still here for awhile. I just discovered Sara’s blog a couple of weeks ago, and am praying for those who knew her during this time of mixed grief and celebration – grief for the loss of her physical presence here, but celebration for her healing and for her being with Jesus.
This is a universal story and yet so profoundly unique. Discovering ourselves held by the One who called us into being and finding our hope and joy in him alone. None of us will make it out of this life alive. I pray we all choose as Sara did, as Mary did…as Ruth did…Be it done unto me according to your will, whither thou goest I will go…I choose Joy! Sara knows perfect Joy now! Glory to God!
a beautiful piece, emily. praying for you and her loved ones a beautiful PEACE.
What a blessing Sara was to so many. I am thankful she is finally, finally at peace. I pray now for her family. And I think of Riley. I am not sure anyone else is going to be able to spoil him quite as well as she did.
Sara was such a blessing and an encouragement to me. I will miss her so much, and I look forward to meeting her in Heaven one day.
praying comfort and peace for her family and friends….
Thanks for letting us know about Sara.
I remember reading her birthday post and going back and reading the new comments and replies she made with tears streaming down my face a few days later. What a beautiful woman. I know her family and close friends must miss her horribly.
so glad for her newfound health and freedom. praise God for that hope.
You all are in my prayers.
This caught my eye at the beginning. My Bible Study group for this year has not stopped raving about Sarah Young. But then I continue on and read about Sara. Oh my heart aches right now. Sadness for the loss of her presence here, but what true amazing joy she experienced as she walked in the the pure presence of the Almighty. This makes me even more thankful for the community found through blogging.
Emily, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story of Sara… I read your post and other posts about Sara for about an hour and couldn’t help but cry. Wow what an inspirational and amazing woman (I too choose joy and thank you Sara for true legacy)
Her beauty and faith will always be her testimony for others to know she lived for HIS GLORY treasure your memories and hold them close. She would want that.
Emily, I did not know Sara at all, and only recently heard about her through a couple blogs. But her life and death have had an impact on my life. Your words brought tears to my eyes this morning. I want to choose joy in all circumstances of my life. Thank you for sharing her beautiful life with us. Many blessings!
I’m celebrating her today through photography and seeing JOY through the lens
Although I did not know Sara personally… I too share in the celebration of her life – one that I got to know through blogging and twitter. Her life and faith and attitude toward both were inspiring and continue to be… I rejoice that I will meet her face to face on the other side of eternity…
Blessings to you today
Danise
Oh Emily, this is a tough one.
Really lovely, Emily. You may not have known Sara well, but her joyful essence seeped into your soul straight away. I’m glad you have joined the chorus of grieving and rejoicing with these words today.
Thanks for sharing Emily. And thanks to you and all you fellow angels for ministering to this precious soul in the Name of Christ. God gives us things to do, does He not? It is awesome to be a follower of Him. This post is about where the rubber meets the road. You just go, all you ladies!!
How I long for the day we are all taking that first breath in heaven. I am sorry Emily for your loss and the loss of a sweet joyful voice in the blogging world.
Fondly,
Glenda
we should all die so well, we should all leave such a legacy, but most of all we should all “choose joy.
I only recently found Sara’s blog, but was glad to have the opportunity to learn about her life and her faith. She truly lived Christ, and shared him with others. She ran the race faithfully and finished well! I would have liked to have known her in life, but I know I’ll be able to meet her one day. I grieve for her family but am happy to know that she is finally released from her broken body. I can only imagine the sweet air she is breathing now! Thanks for sharing your friendship with her, with us.
i just read about Sara on another site. she was so touching and i’m glad so see so many people knew and loved her. your post is very touching and a great remembrance.
ps: i love the quote at the beginning