Well done, sweet Emma.

So many "firsts" are anticipated with bated breath, but this one was not, yet it turned out to be a treasured moment nonetheless.

I received the text on Friday morning right after dropping my girls off at school. My immediate reaction was shock and grief all rolled up into one emotion of sorts. A dear minister's wife had gone to be with Jesus after battling COVID.

Although my interactions with sweet Emma Van Iwaarden were few, they were deeply memorable. Her presence was all at once deeply comforting and supremely joyful. You know those people whose superpower is making you feel like you are the most important person they have encountered. That was Emma.

So the task before me was to "preach" a sermon three days after she left earth. My goals were to comfort her precious family and friends and also to challenge them to lay down their lives for the Jesus she so dearly loved. A daunting task that ended up being a treasured moment for me that I will always remember.

People like Emma are my heroes. Those who love God deeply and love the people around them deeply. Those that gently prod people in the direction of Jesus. They won't have thousands at their funerals, but oh the masses of those transformed by the ripple effect of their love for others. I believe Emma is surrounded by those people now, and there are thousands more here on earth that she has yet to meet. 

Well done, sweet Emma.