She has run the race.

Last updated on: September 15, 2011 at 1:38 pm by Kellie "Red"

She has run the race. 2011-09-15T13:38:36-06:00 Kellie "Red"

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

April 2011

I knew Rachel in passing. She was that gorgeous, thin, well-dressed, high-energy mom that turned the heads of other moms and children alike. She taught my daughter Gianna at our homeschool co-op. She chatted about homeschooling and shopping and couponing in the hallways. She served her family and church. She was a dear friend to so many of my friends. She was full of life and love.

And then I heard she was sick. Her sister Betty, a friend of my youth, let me know Rachel had cancer. Rachel did all the recommended treatments. To an outsider, she was so brave and strong. She kept homeschooling her two young boys. Her health started to improve but then in December the cancer returned. She was told it was terminal. She had less than a year to live.

I saw her at our co-op each week. I admit that I stared at her from across the room. How could she be dying? She looked so healthy, so full of life. She came to co-op each week, helped teach classes, and loved on her boys and friends. How could such a woman be dying? She was always smiling, always so hopeful, and she acted so blessed.

I asked my children to pray hard for her. I told them about her cancer, about the possible outcome. My 5 year old son Charlie remarked, “she must be really brave and strong. Mommy, are you that brave and strong.” “I don’t know,” I responded, “We need to pray for her.”

Rachel was so young, the mom of two young boys. She was dying and yet she kept on living life. What else was she to do? At some point in the spring I didn’t see her again. She shared her pain on facebook and her sister started a blog. I read their words and I prayed. Each day she grew sicker. Rachel, her sister Betty, and other close family members continued to share Rachel’s journey with our entire community. Rachel wanted her life to be a witness to us all, to serve Christ through her last breaths. As her body slowly wasted away to nothing, she suffered greatly, and she served Him well.

Yesterday I learned she took her last breath. While I fully expected this news, it was jarring.

Although I didn’t know her well, for months now, her life has never been far from my thoughts and prayers. Rachel made me think about life, about death, about love, and about how I ought to be living.

As I go through my day I am often very distracted by the little things–the undone laundry, unfinished schoolwork, a child who has fallen and needs comforting–all good and necessary parts of my job. And while life is about all these little things, it is a great grace when we can accomplish the little tasks with great care and love, but at the same time keep the big picture in mind. We are, after all, running a race, and whether we like it or not, death and eternal life is the finish line.

Rachel has completed her race, and she ran hard until the end. “I have fought the good fight, I have run the course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 And I pray that she is now in the presence of Jesus, hearing him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Uncategorized

Previous Post

September 15, 2011

Becoming a modern day priest - CBS News Video

Next Post

September 16, 2011 Products We Love: Greek Yogurt and new dual-action Lysol cleaning wipes

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Builders' Favorite Posts Children Education & Homeschool Food and Nutrition Health Home Organization Inside Our Inbox Keeping It Real Liturgical Seasons Marriage Miscellaneous Motherhood and Parenting Nature and the Environment NFP and Fertility Politics and Current Events Pregnancy Recipes Spiritual Life The Catholic Church Thoughts for Thursday Uncategorized

Select a Month April 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "seek first the kingdom of God" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Seek revenge Put God first Ignore God Worry about clothing