Bethany Jill Wood certainly left her imprint on many hearts. She is a gentle, kind woman. She's also hilarious. There's an easiness about Beth that I absolutely love. She always welcomed me and made me feel so comfortable and at ease when we were together. Beth is loyal, someone your heart can safely trust. Her birthday is coming up in a few days and she's been on my mind. I was reading over some of the conversations of ours that I had saved over the years. No matter how much time had gone by, we could pick right back up. Encouraging one another, telling one another how thankful we were to have a sweet friendship, blessing one another with prayer, pointing to Christ.
The morning that I had heard that she had passed away, I sought Jesus in worship. That was all that I could do. I worshiped Jesus for being my payment, my grace, and for receiving Beth into His majesty. I closed my eyes and I could see her. Beautiful. She is with Him now. And she's perfect. Perfectly whole, healthy, happy. This I know in my head, but sometimes my heart aches. It aches for the things that I would have loved to see her do here on earth. It aches for her Mama, not even able to imagine how much she must miss her. Miss her smile, her voice, her beautiful and hearty laugh. When Beth smiled, her whole face smiled.
I stood in my kitchen, crying a little bit as I read our notes to one another. My 3 year old son came up to me, saw the tears, and asked me "Mama, what's wrong?" I told him I was just missing my friend. He asked me where she was and I told him she is in heaven with Jesus. He nodded and a second later said, "Mama, Jesus hug me. He helps me."
There it is right there. Jesus meets us in our moments of deepest need. He helps us, lifts us, walks with us, and sometimes He carries us. In all of our exchanges, she talked of how blessed she is and pointed her vision towards Christ Jesus. I know my dear friend is with Lord Jesus. He reminds me often that He is the redeemer. He makes all things new.
Her life and her story has taught me much. Mostly, it taught me to say I love you more. Hug more. When God gives you encouragement to give to someone, give it. Boldly. And when you love, love deeply as my Sweet Beth did on earth and does in Heaven.
Forever in my heart, dear friend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGlTzH9xkXQ
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,[c] 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
