One day, Amy wants us all to realize the peace that she knows. A peace that Amy can’t describe and we can’t fathom. Amy and I did find a real peace in our last days and years together.

The peace which we came to know wasn’t “nirvana” (perfection) – it couldn’t be for this world is broken. Amy and I came to realize: we are broken and we are surrounded by broken people.

Yet, I’m struck by this…

Amy … your mom, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and wife gave us all a gift of peace.

I recall Amy comforting us all … saying words of encouragement and peace as her time on earth drew to a close. Amy still had questions, sure, though she had a confident peace that carried her through those moments of transition – a peace Amy rests in today.

Matthew 6:25-34 is a passage of Scripture which became a guide post of our daily life. (In fact, this is one of the few Scriptures that meant so much to her that she underlined, highlighted, & emphasized it in her Bible.)

The truth of this passage soaked in as Amy’s new battle began, and we realized we weren’t in control of anything.

Brokenness and chaos became our new reality. Each day was daunting.

Amy and I found it easier to focus on the moments instead of the day. Seeing God show up in the smallest details of those moments gave us the confidence to make it through each day.

I won’t sugar coat it… some days weren’t simply difficult – they were nightmares!

Amy would tell you (and I can attest) that the truths of Matthew 6 came vividly to life in those most difficult days. Amy and I witnessed first hand the love God had for us. Amy and I saw with clear eyes through her cancer journey how worry and being anxious had driven us to hopelessness as we relied on ourselves. Real peace and hope came to Amy and I as the real God of Scripture continued to show up in the “here and now” moments of each day.

Amy and I felt this passage…

We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out] but not driven to despair. (2 Corinthians 4:8, Amplified)

But…

We have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty] (us), so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not of ourselves. (2 Corinthians 4:7, Amplified)

And we held onto…

This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of our soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it] – a safe and steadfast hope. (Hebrews 6:19, Amplified)

And rested in these passages…

For indeed Christ died for sins once for all, the Just and Righteous for the unjust and unrighteous [the Innocent for the guilty] so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:18, Amplified)

Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of legal demands [which were in force] against us and which were hostile to us. And this certificate He (Christ) has set aside and completely removed by nailing it to the Cross. (Colossians 2:14, Amplified)

Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior; John 3:18]. (Romans 8:1, Amplified)

Our faith wasn’t just a belief any longer – of a Christ, who lived, died and through His resurrection defeated death.

Our faith was tested and proved!

Amy and I rested in, trusted in, and walked in this Christ alone.

Christ alone plus nothing (never again resting in our broken selves, or our so called self goodness or worth) is actually everything!

Which translated in our lives to this…

Do not be anxious or worried about anything , but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving , continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the Peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours] [John 14:27]. (Philippians 4:6-7, Amplified)

It was this hope, trust, and peace which gave Amy the confidence to assure each of us in different ways that this God, her Heavenly Father, and Christ, her Savior, had a place for her. Amy encouraged each of us to be mindful of and watch out for one another, trust God and Christ, and follow her to heaven.

My prayer is we will all trust in Christ alone – and, in doing so, experience a peace that Amy knows only trusting Him can bring.

Love to all and Merry Christmas!

Greg

A Footnote

Amy was and still is the heartbeat of my life.

Living these almost 3 years of days with her absence has been difficult on the best of days. The chasm which is Amy’s absence will never be filled this side of heaven, though I am so thankful to know and have a real peace in my life today.

I’m so comforted to trust in nothing in this life but Christ alone (the only constant in this broken world I live in). Because of Christ, Amy is at peace and I am ever looking forward to the day when we will be reunited and spend eternity with Christ, our Savior.