Matthew 5:14-16 says, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives good light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light sine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
#golighttheworld is our command and you have answered it so well.
A mom and her daughter shared a pedicure...
A friend had chik fil a for lunch...
Taylor's first babysitter helped her own son ask Jesus into his heart today...
One of her friends spontaneously bought tickets to fly home to see her mom and sister...
A former student poured light into young lives...
Kendal's mom said Taylor's name on Broadway in New York City
A friend cooked for campers at Falls Creek....
Friends posted my cousin JIll's "go light the world" print all over social media
Dozens of friends shared a Taylor memory....
Dozens more encouraged others to share their own light....
Still dozens more texted us and loved on us and prayed all around us
A few moments ago, Ashley, one of the 7 sent me this text:
"I know you've probably been flooded with texts and what nots these past couple of days, but I just want to make sure you know how much I love you. Everyday I have walked into the hospital, I'm reminded of Tay, of you, or Joey, and of Wade. I'm reminded what it felt like to see my sweet friend. All those emotions come pouring back, every time I walk through those doors. I have hide my tears as I see families struggle. I have to hide my tears when I see Tay in so many patients. But I chose to get up and show those people the light that emitted from Taylor. I chose to walk into their room and show them love, to call them by their name and bathe them. To hold onto the family. To pray over every patient every time I touch. Taylor's life has changed me. It's made me more sensitive then I have ever been. It's given me the power to step into a patient's room and give because I want everyone to be treated like my precious friend. Everyday I walk into the hospital is another day I get to light the world and share the love that is Taylor. Everyday. Her life had purpose momma. That doesn't make it any easier, but know that her life has changed the way I view and take care of the hundreds of people I have encounter this summer in the neuro trauma ICU and all the thousands of patients I will soon face in the years to come."
How do you quantify this life, this kind of love?
Perhaps the biggest God story of the day.... Meet Taylor Grace Ahrberg - daughter to Will and Ashleigh Ahrberg born this morning, July 27th, 2016. Will is one of our former football players and his entire family are precious, perfect friends. He and Ashleigh discovered they were pregnant on November 20th, Taylor Renee's birthday, and were given a due date of July 27th - Will's post reads:
"We are very excited to announce the arrival of Taylor Grace this morning! Baby and mama are doing great. We chose the name Taylor to honor our friend Taylor Witcher who met her heavenly father exactly 2 years ago to the day. She was a light to everyone she met and I know she is watching from above."
Taylor Grace is beautiful - God's perfect promise.
I had hoped to write more graciously and gracefully tonight. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for sharing your light today, for allowing our grief tears get confused with our joy tears, for reminding us that laughs should come deep from our bellies, that dancing on the sidewalk is not only legal but required, that when you greet someone, the greeting should be the most genuine, the most warm, that memories give us strength to take one more breathe.... thank you for saying that the end of July is hard; for saying you miss her still, for saying her name, for not being too busy to remember.
We must continue to be the light in the darkness... Taylor Grace's world must have light.
#golighttheworld