#lovefromizzy

Last week a good friend of mine had to say goodbye to her daughter.  This mom has been such a picture of God's love, strength, and grace to me over the years I have known her. Not only did she love and serve her daughter well - giving more and more of herself daily to meet her family's needs, she also continually loves and serves her community.  She has provided trainings at the preschool where I work.  She has spoken at adoption conferences and poured into adoptive moms.  At Izzy's funeral, she talked about the idea of pouring yourself out instead of trying to fill yourself up.  That is where you find fullness, because that is where you find Christ.

As I sat at Izzy's funeral on Saturday, the grief filling the room was almost a physical weight, but there was also such hope and joy in the midst of the pain.  We laughed as the people closest to Izzy shared stories, and we cried as they spoke words of love into one another.

This Holy week as I think about the life of Christ, I see an earthly example in Izzy.  She loved with her whole heart, endured more suffering than most - with a smile on her face.  She was gentle and kind, a blessing to all who knew her.  As a mom, I wrestle with the thought that her life was much too short, and yet I know that the Lord has numbered all of our days and has plans for all of our lives.  I want to shout that it's unfair, and yet I know that my God is just and his wisdom is incomprehensible to me.  The pastor's words at the service about suffering and the sermon at my church on Sunday were both a comfort and a challenge.  We are all called to suffer if we claim to love Jesus, because he did.  He took on more suffering than we will ever know.  And at just the right time, he said, "It is finished."  His physical suffering was finished, never to be endured again.  Izzy's physical pain is done.  Her last breath on earth was her first breath in the arms of her Savior.  She suffers no more.  When he said, "It is finished," it also meant that his mission was complete.  He had accomplished the plans the Father set out for him.  At the funeral, Izzy's dad talked about her mission of love.  He told the sweetest story of a little angelic Izzy accepting a difficult mission from God to come to earth to teach those around her how to love.  She completed her mission, leaving behind a legacy of love.

Izzy's family has challenged us to keep that legacy of love going.  Choose kindness and show love.  Izzy's family would like to see your acts of kindness on social media using #lovefromizzy.  So many great things have already been shared.  Here's one small way you can contribute.