Today is a bittersweet day for my family. Five years ago, my 26 year-old cousin, Beckie, lost her battle with cancer and went home to heaven. For everyone who was privileged to know Beckie, of course it’s always hard because we miss her. But, we also are able to look back on her life as an incredible gift.
Sometimes when someone dies young it seems like such a tragic waste. The young person has often not done very much yet or has lived selfishly for themselves. My cousin, Beckie, however, was an extraordinary young woman. In her short life she inspired everyone who knew her to live more fully, to know God better, to be unselfish. In short, hers was an unwasted life. Beckie’s life was lived for others, for the glory of God.
Beckie’s life verse was I Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Such small words packed with such enormous implications.
Rejoice. ALWAYS.
Pray. WITHOUT CEASING.
Give thanks. IN EVERYTHING.
One small thing I remember that made a huge impact on my life was that Beckie made it her goal to thank each and every person who gave care to her in the hospital; from the nurse who gave her her chemo drugs, to the worker who brought a lunch tray in. At the time I was going through many surgeries myself. Shortly after Beckie’s funeral, I underwent an extensive surgery and hospital stay. I remembered this verse and Beckie’s example and even in my pain and drugged state I thought, “If Beckie could do this while going through chemo, so can I.” I tried to remember to thank the nurse who drew my blood (ick) and the guy who brought me yucky hospital food and especially the ones who gave me pain meds!
Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks.
In the good times and the bad.
When she was in the hospital I made Beckie a quilt. It was called “Tea in the Garden.” I tried to include lots of bright colors and flowers since she was in isolation and couldn’t go outside that spring. After her death, I was privileged to receive that quilt back. Today I sleep under it at night and am reminded of Beckie’s amazing life and her Savior she served who made her life possible.
I am grateful I knew her. Grateful for the summers on Old Hickory Lake in Nashville. Grateful for her example.
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