Today is Kari Ryan’s birthday.
If you see Jeff Hill, let him know how thoughtful he his. Jeff is sponsoring this day in honor of Kari’s birthday, to celebrate the life of someone so dear to us.
I was honored to have a small part in Kari’s life. I knew her for a short period of time, yet every moment is cherished. I was so at ease around her, that she felt like a lifelong friend. During my short window of time, I got to see Kari alive in Christ. In love with a God who radically pursued her.
When I met Kari last fall, God pointed her out to me. He told me how precious and valuable she is to Him. He asked me to make a commitment to encourage her, to LOVE her. She didn’t have everything figured out, but she knew who her God was, and she was continually looking to Him for strength. He asked me to send bits of encouragement along the way. It was simple things like a text letting her know just how crazy He is about her, being intentional about spending time together, etc. Any encouragement I gave, I got back tenfold. When I first met Kari, I had no idea how our friendship could make me feel so alive in the Lord.
Her life, and her death, impacted hundreds of people. As cliche as it sounds, the legacy left behind is love. She didn’t hold back. She was outwardly affectionate to everyone she encountered. She made people feel valued and adored.
Although we grieve deeply, we carry a sense of peace, knowing we will get to see our sweet friend once again. Kari’s passing is a reminder that every moment matters. We need to use our words to speak life. We need to be the hands and feet of Christ. We never know when it’s our last opportunity to show someone just how much they mean to us.
Kari, hundreds of people are celebrating you today. We are celebrating a girl we love, a life well lived. I can’t wait to hear what kind of party Jesus threw for you. We all love you so much.
