Someone who has encouraged me to live with joy is SaraFrankl. I “met” her through (in)courage in
the spring of 2010, and I stated following her blog soon after that. Her words and her joy touched my heart and
encouraged me to persevere when life was hard.
Sara suffered from Ankylosing
Spondylitis, a progressive and systemic autoimmune disease. She lived with severe, unrelenting pain for
years. The simple act of breathing was a
struggle for her. She was exhausted. She couldn't step
onto the patio of her apartment because she was allergic to the outside
air. Sara had a hard life, but she lived
it joyfully.
Sara’s motto was “Choose Joy,” and it was one that she lived
by daily. Choosing joy wasn’t something
that she could do by herself. She asked God to
change her heart and to help her choose joy.
It wasn’t easy, but she kept
practicing. She was determined to be
joyful and to gratefully live the life God had given her.
This is how Sara defined joy:
Joy: the unwavering trust that God knows what He’s doing and has blessed me with the opportunity to be a part of it… not despite what’s happening in my life but because of it. When everything earthly feels heavy He gives me an internal lightness that can’t be touched.
Sara’s life was harder than mine is, but she lived so
joyfully despite such intense physical suffering. Through her blog she gave us all a glimpse
into her life and the practical ways she chose joy in the midst of
suffering. She trusted God in the midst
of the hard and she reminded others to do the same.
In Sara’s words: "Make it about
Him, not you. Enjoy every second. Choose joy."
Three weeks ago God
called Sara home. Her race on earth
is finished, but her legacy lives on. I
didn’t know Sara as well as others did, but I have been blessed by her faithful
example. Sara encouraged me to press on
and not give up, to not be afraid of what the future holds, but to embrace whatever
challenges, suffering, and opportunities God brings my way.
I am so thankful for Sara and her example of choosing joy. She was a blessing
to all who knew her. Did you know Sara
through her blog, through (in)courage, or in real life? How has
Sara touched your life?
Oh in so many ways...that I am still talking about! Thank you for reminding me of her beautiful JOY-filled life! And of yours!!
ReplyDeleteI have AS too--Sara was a true inspiration and how CHOOSING how you live is so important.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you have AS too. It's a rough disease. I'm glad that Sara was an inspiration to you. I pray that you will be drawn closer to the Lord because of your AS and that God will use it in your life for great good. Choose joy!
ReplyDeleteI knew her in all of the ways you listed, and her touch on the lives of the four in my home is without words. She was a sister, friend, aunt, and partner of the heart and in crime. Our lives, because of the gift of her friendship, will never be the same, and I'm forever thankful. Beautiful post, Rachel.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog and taking the time to comment about sweet Sara. I'm so glad that you had the opportunity to know her and love her so well! It was obvious by reading Sara's blog that your family and your friendship was a huge blessing to her. I've been thinking of you and praying for you, as I know that your grief must be a heavy weight to bear. May the Lord bring you comfort and peace as only He can.
ReplyDeleteThanks...we've felt the prayers and are so appreciative of them. You are a lovely writer who said it very well...thanks for sharing with all of us.
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Lovely post about a lovely person - rarely a day goes by that I don't think of Sara and the beautiful way she lived her life to God's glory. She was (and is) a great example to us all. I miss her very much, but know that she completed her work here on earth and is enjoying a much deserved rest with the Lord. Can't wait to meet her in person some day! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to meet her in person some day too! Thanks for stopping by my blog, Laura, and for sharing kind words about Sara.
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