Audrey

My friend Audrey is very sick. She found out 6 years ago that she has bone cancer. Since then there have been ups and downs, medically speaking. There has been fear, pain, and all the other emotions that go along with cancer...but all along the way Audrey continued to cultivate her relationship with Jesus. Even within the last couple of years, she has faithfully followed God's nudges on her life, sharing her spiritual insight and wisdom with young couples in a Bible study group she started to minister to that age group.

For many years prior to her diagnosis, Audrey was the Director of Food Services at the Christian conference center where I worked. Her office was right down the hall from mine, and we experienced many deep moments there, sharing together about many things. We talked about work, home, Christ, and many of our individual life happenings. She was there for me when I was in the darkest valley of my life. She always loved me...and she always prayed about what mattered to me, covering the situation in a warm blanket of Christ's safety. Eventually, we talked about her illness together. She was very brave...and she trusted God - deeply.

I have moved away from that area of the state, and I'm not in contact with Audrey as much as I used to be. Occasional emails keep us connected in the physical world, but at a deeper level we always have the connection of our shared experiences.

I recently learned that Audrey's cancer has apparently reached the end stage. Her mother and sisters have arrived from another state to walk this final journey with her. A week ago, I drove to her home at the coast to visit with her; to say goodbye to my sister in Christ. It's not often in this life that we have the opportunity to look a friend in the eyes and tell her/him goodbye through your words of love and appreciation. I told Audrey that my life was better because I knew her. I told Audrey that her prayers contributed to my daughter's safe return from a very destructive path in high school. I told her that my daughters love her. I hugged her, kissed her cheek, and told her I loved her. In spite of her painful condition with bone cancer, she stood up to hug me.

This will no doubt be at the top of my list of beautiful blossoms along my life journey. Audrey loves Jesus...and He is waiting for her to join Him where He is...He wants to show her what He has prepared for her. And, as I told Audrey, I'm sure she will hear Him tenderly say to her, "Well done, child...well done."