Dying Young

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Flowers are often picked just before full bloom-at their most vibrant stage, long before they wither and fade away. No one knows why-but the same thing happens to some people in the prime of their lives--like my little sister. Ten years ago this month, a brain aneurysm sent Patricia into a coma-and she never woke up. She was 33 years old. We were asked to pull life support from her slumbering body, after her brain died -when the young woman we loved dearly-had clearly crossed over from this world into the next. It was a journey none of us had expected her to take-so soon.

As I flew from my home in New Orleans to be with her in Tampa, I kept wondering why-why she had to die--why this generous young soul had been picked before she had completely bloomed... why her five month old son , Daniel and her four year old daughter Sarah had to lose their mom-before they really got to know her. I cannot fully comprehend their pain. I do remember wondering if Patricia had a premonition or a mother's intuition- about her death. To everyone's surprise she quit the job she loved after her son's birth. Something inspired her to cut back, stay home, and care for the most important gifts in her life-her children. But then, without warning, she was gone -and we were left grieving and wondering why God picked her at this time. But it is exactly at times like this, when the roots of our faith are given the chance to flourish and grow... When we are challenged to accept that life and yes-even death -is part of a greater plan, part of an eternal landscape designed by a loving God..for a divine purpose. And even though we may not fully comprehend the design, or agree with the outcome...we can take comfort in knowing that God is absolutely in charge-and so "there is a time to everything...a time to plant and a time to grow...there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

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