Pure of Heart (03/08/2025)

Yesterday we learned that Katie died. We’ve watched her courageous fight against cancer; we’ve prayed for her daily for years now. We prayed for a miracle for Katie so that she would live to see her daughters grow up. We prayed that her cancer would be taken away. Today, we grieve the loss of one who is at peace now. Her earthly suffering refined her and purified her – she grew into her name “pure of heart.” We thank the LORD for Katie, for her life and gifts, for her love and laughter. We will not forget.

“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” Though our hearts are totally tenderized today, we hold fast to the promise of the LORD. We are people of hope. We miss Katie, but we know that Katie still lives. We know that she is in a better place – in the loving embrace of our LORD. We know this but we also know we miss her. Both can be true; both are true.

Katie remains in our thoughts, in our heart, in our prayers. We pray now for healing and comfort for Katie’s family and friends as they grieve. We pray for Katie’s life in the LORD. We give thanks for Katie’s life and her part in the LORD’s divine plan and the difference she made in our world with her presence and her loving ways.

Life in, with and through our LORD illuminates for us the truth of life in the LORD and that this life is but a fragment of our lives. We know this to be true. And yet our grief is real and right. “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” We are supposed to mourn, we are supposed to love in such a way and to such a depth that when the one we love is taken, we grieve. Comfort will come to us, but it is not immediate.

May our love for our LORD and our love for one another continue to “tenderize” our minds and hearts and souls. May our Lenten journey remind us of the LORD’s promise of life in abundance in, with and through Him. May we carry with us as we make our way to Easter the loving memories of those whose lives have touched us with love. Let us always remember.

We love you, Katie.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.