Flashback Friday – Danielle

On Saturday, May 10, 2014, I went to the funeral of my best friend of 10 years, Danielle. The theme that resounded throughout the service was how she lived a life that was totally sold out to Christ. In her Bible she wrote that she wanted to be a woman of grace and mercy. Her number one mission in life was to make the glory of God known through the face of Jesus Christ by sharing the gospel with others. She counted her life as nothing but an instrument in the Redeemer’s hands, and she wanted to serve God and others at any cost to herself.

She was only 30 years old but every ounce of her life was filled to the brim and overflowing with passion for her God, which caused her to love and serve others with full abandon to what this world holds dear. Just as my husband John said last week and Danielle’s brother, Mark, said in his eulogy, Danielle wanted to glorify and serve God with her life SO much that she would have done whatever it took to accomplish that. Even if she would have known ahead of time it would mean sickness, pain, and eventually death, she would have GLADLY signed up for it, if that is what would bring him the most glory. And he has been glorified in her life and will continue to be glorified in her death as the testimony we share about her makes his greatness known. She accomplished her one desire in life. Now she is worshipping around the throne of her Savior for eternity and beaming with unending joy in his presence.

At the service, they read some of the notes Danielle had written in her Bibles, and this was the verse she had written out several times, which I believe describes her life:

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

Another verse was:

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:11-12)

Danielle pursued righteousness, godliness, faith, and love. She fought the good fight of faith, all the way to the end. And now she has taken hold of the eternal life to which she was called, forever resting in the Savior’s arms.

Danielle was heavily involved in youth ministry, was a history teacher at a Christian school, served in short-term missions to Eastern Kentucky with Kentucky Mountain Mission, and was a long term missionary to South Sudan for a year. This was all while she patiently waited on the Lord for his timing and providence in giving her a godly husband, using her singleness to serve. Then God brought her Evan, who pursued her for marriage, and they became husband and wife July 9, 2011. Evan modeled the Ephesians 5 husband, and truly washed Danielle in the Word. He lovingly referred to her as his “Resplendent Bride.”

Danielle’s life was not wasted. Many people struggle with her death because she was only 30 years old. They say things like “Her life was cut way too short!” or “I just can’t make sense of it. She was too young!” While I understand the difficulties of grief (because I too am grieving over losing her), and it is hard to wrap our minds around God’s plan (Isaiah 55:8-9), it is just that—God’s plan. God ordained every one of Danielle’s breaths and he intricately wove his plan for her life into every fiber of her being (Psalm 139:13-16). His will for every believer is that they would be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:28-30), and he worked everything in Danielle’s life to make her more like the Savior. I don’t know why God purposed that cancer would be one of his means to sanctify Danielle, but he did and she was. And who am I to answer back to God (Romans 9:20)? Of course, I selfishly wish I had more time with her, to enjoy her friendship and to be a good friend in return, but I am confident that God’s will is best, more than best; it is perfect. And he has made her perfect in Christ. And I can rejoice in that truth.

I love you and miss you, dear friend. This is not goodbye; it is only so long, until we meet again.