Today we remembered a dear friend who graduated to heaven.

She and her husband were two of my first friends in Pensacola. She was such a sweet soul, funny, generous and so very kind. We went to the same church and she was one of those ladies who “dressed to the 9’s” every Sunday. It was so cute: she and her hubby often wore matching outfits. I think that her closet and jewelry boxes must have been massive!!

My favorite moments were singing with her in the church choir. She and her sister would sit together in the alto section and would giggle at anything. Those giggles were infectious. You couldn’t help start laughing when those two got going.

She loved her sister and she loved her best friend. Her loyalty to those in her circle (and it was a HUGE circle) was sincere and rock solid. She would not tolerate gossip and God forbid you say something negative about “her pastor.” She was a true friend.

She introduced me to the southern tradition of fresh coconut cake at Christmas time. When she first offered a piece to me I thought “Fine, a white cake with coconut frosting.” At my first bite I was hooked. This was a WHITE cake, light and flavorful and delicious. And it was topped with FRESH coconut icing. The icing tasted nothing like what is in a can on your grocery shelf or on a bakery cake. Her Christmas coconut cakes were the best thing this side of heaven.

My friend would never have seen herself as I, or other friends, saw her. I remember one particular moment when my friend cried tears of vulnerability. Her heart was broken and she, as I am learning to do more and more, went straight to Jesus. He must have shared heart-to-heart words that were just between the two of them and not for the rest of us to hear. Her tears stopped, her heart was still broken but she was holding the hand of her Savior already taking steps toward healing.

If I were to talk with her tonight I wonder what she would think I would be remembering about her. I imagine she would mention the jewelry or the clothes. I doubt that she saw herself as I saw her.

But she is with Jesus now. I know that her sore knees are gone. I imagine that as soon as she crossed heaven’s threshold that she ran to the feet of Jesus and said, as only she could say, “Lord.” I doubt that she has moved an inch from that spot.

I wonder what people will remember about us? Do we live lives filled with caring for others, being faithful and loyal? Will we be remembered for making people feel welcomed and heard?

As Christmas Day approaches may we turn our eyes toward Jesus and see others as He sees them. May we ignore the shiny things of this world and notice the hearts of gold inside of others. May we stop looking at the mirror and, instead, examine our own hearts.

Friend, I will be along side you one day and we will sing together in heaven’s choir. Save a place for me in the alto section.

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)