In life there are memories and moments that stick out in your mind, forever. One of those moments happened today; while I was walking on the beach, praying.
Let me set the stage. Yesterday I started a prayer plan with my sister. We set aside different things to pray about each day of the week. Today, Tuesday, was a day to pray for each other. We had the afternoon off from ministry so I went to the beach with a few girls to spend quiet time and pray. I figured the best place to pray for Ashton was on the beach; one of her favorite places.
I spent some quality time with our Father asking for His hand in many different parts of Ashton’s life. Several times during my prayer I would find a lump in my throat as I fought back tears. I miss my little sister so much. She is my best friend and it has been extremely hard to be so far away, but I can’t think of a better way to feel close to her than by praying for her.
When I finished praying I got up, turned on my ipod and started walking along the beach. I was thinking about Ashton and her life back in High Point. I started to pick up a few shells along the beach; something my family loves to do when we vacation in the summers. As I started back towards my friends when I suddenly spotted something gold sticking out of the sand. I bent down and picked up a small heart shaped charm. It has barely visible and I could have easily missed it. As soon as I picked it up my heart stopped.
I know what you are thinking: the charm had Ashton’s name on it, or an A, or sisters, or something like that. Well, you’re wrong. It was something even cooler.
It was engraved with an L.
L is for Lauren
Lauren is my other sister
My guardian angel
She is the sister who was taken from this world 23 years ago and she lives with our Father in Heaven.
Today I went to the beach to pray for my sister and God reminded me that I have 2. The moment I picked up the charm I knew what it meant. He wanted me to remember that Lauren is watching over my family each and every day and her memory lives deep inside our hearts. He wanted to comfort me and fill my heart with an unexplainable joy in the things that are sometimes difficult to swallow.
A few years ago Ashton and I got pictures taken for our parents. They were a Christmas gift and we framed them so they could be placed around our house. We felt it necessary for all 3 Kirby girls to be in the pictures.
God, thank you for today. Thank you for a small reminder of the sister that I have lost, but who is never gone. I praise you for your impeccable timing and the glimpses of Your unexplainable love that surrounds us. I am grateful that my sister is sitting with you in Heaven, experiencing all of Your greatness and love. Today is just another day that I stand in awe of You, the Great I Am.
with love from Vietnam,
Sam
