Friends that my wife and I used to attend church with lost a 12-year old daughter last month. Amanda was her name which might now matter much to you—but you see—our oldest daughter’s name is Amanda is well—-so it hit close to home for us.
Their daughter chose to sleep in the basement of their home on the night of March 15th—and was overcome by carbon monoxide fumes from a faulty pool heater—never waking up. Amanda and her younger sister smelled something before they went to sleep that night–the younger sibling decided to sleep upstairs in her room as it concerned her—the older choosing to stay in the basement.
She was airlifted to a Minneapolis Hospital where doctors placed her in a hyberbaric chamber to remove the deadly gas from her bloodstream. They succeeded—but Amanda was without oxygen for too long—and the Lord called her home.
Why would God choose to take a beautiful, healthy, 12-year old girl home to be with him? Why would God put a Christian family in so much pain with their loss? Does God really know what’s best? Of Course!
You see—God uses “ordinary people” to do “extraordinary things.” Amanda knew the Lord–and wanted other people to know him as their personal Lord and saviour as well.
Guess what—God used her death to witness to those around her. You see—Amanda died over spring break—when classes were out of session for a week. Her parents decided to hold her funeral after school was back in session the following week—allowing as many from the school as possible to attend. They also held her memorial service in the evening—allowing these “kids” to come with parents and family.
At her funeral the gospel message was presented—by Amanda herself—and lives were changed by her death. On the card presented to those attending—was a message—-
“Amanda accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior, and trusted him to lead and guide in her life. She learned of her need for salvation through reading a tract and then wrote her name on it after praying to receive Christ–accepting the free gift of salvation. She would have wanted you to know this.”
God truly works for the good in every situation—and because of a 12-year old girl named Amanda—who is with him now (Psalm 16:9-10)—-his kingdom has grown.
Won’t you take time to “reach-out” to those around you who don’t know Jesus Christ personally—and share the true meaning of the Easter season…….the “RISEN” Christ.
-Garrett Novak is is part of an popular Christian musical group called “Sequoia.”
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