“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:3-6
I have a precious friend who found her completion in Jesus Christ yesterday. I saw on her Facebook page someone said she won her battle with ALS and truer words were possibly never spoken. I want to dedicate my thanks today to her, Emily Grenn Gray. Emily and I were no more than acquaintances in high school. But she was always someone who had a sweet spirit and a beautiful smile for everyone, even little old me, who felt out of place a lot of the time and was not amongst the popular kids. I never knew anyone to have an unkind word to say about her. We didn’t really have a reason to keep up with each other even though since she married her high school sweetheart, who graduated with me I am sure I saw her at a class reunion or two. But in the last couple of years since I have done this page, Emily and I reconnected through this page.
She invited many of you to this page, and she has been an encouragement to me as I have written these words. As I have watched and heard of her illness progressing, there have been many mornings that I thought of her as I wrote, knowing that Facebook was becoming her connection to the outside world. They say that if you want to be a writer, you should think of your audience and who you are writing to. There have been times I have wondered what Emily would think of the words that I was putting to this page. And many times she would comment on my post and let me know that my words did, in fact encourage her. I have been in awe of the light she has shown while her body failed her. Her sweet, beautiful spirit and her love for Jesus never wavered as far as I could see.
That is what brings me and I hope those who loved her the most comfort. I am sure that Emily danced her way into heaven and she is lighting it up even more with that beautiful smile of hers.
She fought the good fight, she finished her race with pure grace, she kept the faith and now she has had her crown of righteousness given to her by her Jesus that she loved so well. (reference 2 Timothy 4:7-8)
It may sound crazy to some but I will miss her. Even though she and I have not spoken an audible word to each other for many many years. She touched me and my heart these last couple of years deeply. And for that I am thankful.
I am thankful that God allowed me to cross paths with her again. I will pray for her family. Please say a prayer for them for the next few days too. And I am sure that as I write there will be many times that I will still think and wonder what would Emily think.
Restore 