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Well Played

This morning my amazing Aunt Jan went home to be with Jesus. I have been thinking of her often over the last few weeks, and I keep thinking of the verse in Ephesians that says to live wisely and make the most of every opportunity (my paraphrase and cutting some of it out). As I think about her today, these words just keep coming back to me over and over again. I have rarely met someone so purposeful and thoughtful in every action and interaction. I think there were very few things that she did or ideas she had that, if you asked, she couldn't give a well reasoned argument for why she did a certain thing exactly the way she did it or why she thought about a certain subject exactly the way she thought about it.  She was excellent at asking people questions and learning about who they were and what they thought and enjoyed. She studied diet and nutrition and phonics and any subject that interested her. She didn't have a degree in any of those things but I am certain she could have given degree holders in any of those subjects a run for their money. She purposely kept in contact with many extended family members, even if she didn't know them well, she'd still make an effort to call or make contact. She was great at sending emails or little gifts, all thoughtfully written or selected. If you have never received a newspaper clipping in the mail, a postcard, a coffee mug, a dish towel,  a book for your kids, or a medical diagnosis from her, you have missed out. Most importantly, she was thoughtful about how to share Jesus with others, both through her actions and words. When she was diagnosed with cancer she was thinking about how she could be salt and light to the doctors and others around her. She was thoughtful about how she could encourage her family. She wrote an email to all of us saying "To live is Christ, to die is gain."
Today, some might say that Jan Skidmore lost her battle with cancer.They would be wrong. They would be wrong because cancer lost. Cancer did not dictate how she lived her life. Cancer did not dictate her attitude. Cancer did not steal her joy. Cancer did not destroy her faith and hope in Jesus. Did she struggle, yes. It was a battle. But she won the battle. Jesus won the battle. She won. Jesus wins.

Comments

Kristina said…
*Tears*
When we lived in Missouri, Kev and Jan were there and we went to church where he preached. They were kind to us and I remember them fondly.
June 24, 2016 at 12:44 PM
bee said…
Can't say it better than this. Excellent! !
June 24, 2016 at 2:02 PM
bee said…
Can't say it better than this. Excellent! !
June 24, 2016 at 2:02 PM
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