When someone dear to you dies, the lessons you learn about life are priceless.
I was blessed to know Kristen Miller Fersovitch.
23 Years of Connection
In 1990, I first met her as a 7 year-old through the Children’s Ministry that I led at our church.
She was in our home as a teen during youth ministry times.
I’ve stood with her in the wings of Central Tabernacle just before she sang in the world famous “Singing Christmas Tree” and in post-performance gatherings at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
It was my privilege as her pastor to dedicate her and her husband Mike’s two youngest sons, Tayven and Lincoln at North Pointe in October 2011.
I’ve been in her home and her hospital rooms.
Kristen let me into her confidence and her heart. I was comfortable and comforted hearing her say, “I love you.”
Music Was Her Platform
Music was her life. She loved listening to worship music and making music. Singing with her parents, Dave and Kathy and her sister, Kennedy and anyone who could reach her gold standard of excellence was her sweet spot.
Kristen loved the song, “Unredeemed.”
She sent me the lyrics a few days after she was diagnosed with inoperable cancer in August 2011.
Months later, she and her friend Cindy Glubish sang it as a duet at North Pointe Church.
The lyrics say, “It may be unfulfilled, it may be unrestored, but when anything that’s shattered is laid before the Lord, just watch and see, it will not be unredeemed.”
3 Lessons About Living From Kristen
1. Jesus is BIGGER than anything in life, even death. TRUST Him.
Kristen was prepared for death but she wasn’t ready to die. She was ready to live.
Her being prepared to face death took away the terror of dying. The lyrics of her last song, sung just hours before her passing were, “I will praise Him, I will praise Him, Praise the Lamb for sinners slain, Give Him glory all you people, for His blood can wash away each stain.”
Kristen trusted Jesus.
God Is Real
She said repeatedly, “God is real. You may not think you see that or know that…but look in the mirror, look at the wonder of every organ and vessel in your body working and functioning in complete unity; look at how the sun rises everyday; you just assume that it’s going to be there…but it’s by Gods grace that the sun rises each morning on us, even though we rarely look at it in the wonder that it deserves.”
“God is bigger then anything that would try to overcome you, or your family.”
What Gets Me Through Each Day
“I have come to know God as a provider, sustainer, giver of joy, and peace and so much more…and I am currently on a journey that is leading me to know him as my healer.
But lets say I didn’t get healed – what if I died? Would that mean that he wasn’t God? No not at all. We all are going to die; we are not invincible; we are human; we all make mistakes; we all fall short. But there is a God of grace and mercy who made you…so he could love you.
He loved you so much that he sent his son Jesus to die for you. For me.
My life is preserved by Jesus, because he died for me, because I accepted him as my Lord and Savior. He is the giver of life…ETERNAL Life…so when my time here on earth is done, I get to live in eternity with God.
THAT is what gets me through each day. That is what sustains, and brings peace and joy.”
Wow
2. Tell people NOW how much they have WOW’ed your life.
The lesson is from Cindy Glubish.
She wrote, “I’ve come to realize that I spend way too much time thinking about what I don’t have, what area’s of my life I’m failing in, and what ugliness there is in the world, that I forget to acknowledge the good that IS around me; the beauty in the people that God has blessed my life with. And because it’s far more easy to update a status, send an email or tweet, I mistakenly think it’s the same as word of mouth, face-to-face, talking on the phone, or hugging.
But what if we looked at every person in our lives as having “1-2 years left to live?” How differently might we approach these relationships?
So what’s the take away you may ask? Well… how do I say this gently? I’d like for you to stop reading this and find three (or ten, or 15,000) people in your life that mean a lot to you and who have made a difference in your life… AND GO TELL THEM… like, NOW!”
Loving Your Single, Solitary Life
3. Love your life – it’s the only one you’ve got.
I have recently heard a number of people in different circumstances, some good, some not so, use the phrase, “I love my life!”
It’s a clearly understandable expression when someone’s dream comes true or they experience success.
It’s a surprisingly unexpected declaration when people in horrible circumstances can sincerely say the same thing.
“I love my life” was Kristen’s oft repeated expression.
She entitled her blog, “Lovin’ Life Day by Day”
Choice: The Most Powerful Freedom You Have
To choose to love your life when life sucks is not crazy – it is a declaration that life is a gift; it is precious; it is temporary; and the circumstances are not eternal; that heaven is real and life there will truly be loveable.
I believe that Jesus died to provide a way so that when we die we can live again, eternally. Jesus called himself “The Way.” He invites us to believe on him as God, Saviour and Lord.
The “way” begins by praying, “Jesus, I need a Saviour. I believe you died for me. Come into my life as My Saviour and God. Forgive my sins. Give me a brand new beginning. Help me to know you and live for you. Amen.”
Posts similar to this one:
How to See With Tears in Your Eyes
Ornament: The Faith, Joy and Hope of Kristen Fersovitch
Still I Will Sing
APPLICATION: How did Kristen touch your life? Please leave a comment below.
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