Thank You Ansley

I will never fully understand the impact of death on us all. It sometimes comes after a lengthy struggle or in the blink of an eye, it shows no favoritism. And with death comes the full array of emotions that take their turn at the forefront of you thoughts, though everyone deals with them in a different way. Some cry, some become angry, some sit in silence. Whether death be just or unjust, whether it be taken, given, or both, whether it be destroyed, what remains true through all of it is the soul and spirit's belonging to God alone. I believe that the spirit is the only component of our being capable of channeling peace into the rest of our existance. For some reason right now my spirit seems to understand clearly while my body and soul pull in seperate directions. My spirit seems to know the design of why this must be the way it is, and hopefully my body and soul will follow soon.

Her children and her husband must face the brunt of God's decision. I pray that He gives them peace and grace to accept it. I know that they are surrounded by a loving community, a church that feels the pain of its entire body. They are already being surrounded by endless prayers, and I pray that God hears each one. I still cannot pretend to immagine the depth of pain that they must be feeling, and the lack of understanding in her young children. The Lord has never taken someone so close to me as a mother, a sister, or a daughter, but I have lost friends before. I have felt like this before. I want to be useful and a comforter, but all I have to really offer are my prayers and my service in music. I will do it to the best of my ability.

May Ansley always be remembered as the Job of our church, praising God in health, and rejoicing His Name in suffering, through death, and into eternity.

Peace and love.