The Dying and Death of my First Cousin, once Removed: Amanda

The Dying and Death of my First Cousin, once Removed: Amanda

If the arrangements go as planned, then I will be making a very quick trip back to Kentucky to share in the memorial of my first cousin, once removed.  Over the last two years she has been battling cancer. There were ups and downs but cancer was the life taker.  Yet, cancer, and all its evil did not have the”last word”.  She did.  For those reading this, I wish I could share my thoughts yet, for me, are most difficult to articulate. So, as my Divinity School professor would often say when his students couldn’t get even the drift of what he was trying to communicate:  “Suffice it to say”.

She was in her forties.  She worked her way up in the hospitality industry.  She was brilliant, overcame an early childhood disability.  Lovely,  brilliant, friendly, and my cousin. In working on my homily, I made notes in my preparation that I wanted to share with you that might give you a glimpse of this wonderful person:

*****Amanda faced dying and death with courage not resignation; with expectation not with fear; love of others first not first of herself

*****Amanda had a deep love for life but pursued truth and not afraid where that Truth might lead her… 

*****Rebecca Greenfield reflecting on what he (C.S. Lewis) said: “we are exiles on earth, waiting for completeness, waiting for home, waiting for reunion and resurrection." Until then, we wait, and we groan and long for those that are already feasting at the Lord’s banquet table”. Amanda is now complete. 

*****In the Christmas card we received from Amanda, she thanked those who have accompanied her on this journey.  A journey indicates a destination.  Her destination did not end with cancer nor was her death and ending but a bridge to life with the Life Giver.  Without God, a journey ends but with God there is always more, but this time, for her, it will be in Heaven where there will be peace, every tear will be wiped dry, joy forever more and an eternity to explore the God and His Kingdom.

*****Psalm 16:11(NLT) states what all followers of Jesus need to hear: 

Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.  I will praise the Lord who counsels me—even at night my conscience instructs me. I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely. For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see decay. You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

*****1 Peter 5:10-11 (HCSB):Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. The dominion belongs to Him forever. Amen.  

Yes, some feel she died too young but in her suffering, she continued to love her God, her family and friends.  She continued to work even while undergoing treatment both at the place of her employment and on line. Committed, dedicated, responsible.  She was brave, strong, and courageous because she wanted to live in life that God had given her

Thank you God, for those that walk with You, follow You and commit their lives to You.  What a witness they are to that which gives us hope, peace and joy in this world and in Your Kingdom which we will inherit in eternity. 

Grace and Peace,

Quentin

Sharecropper’s Inheritance, 28 I 25