As the world is already turning today with talks of Libya and American Idol, my world has seemed to stopped spinning just a bit. Yesterday and great friend from the States, Cathy Asbridge, lost her long battle with cancer. She was my high-school cheerleading coach, and her husband Charles mentored and led me to a full life following Jesus Christ. She leaves four beautiful kids and a grieving and broken family.
So many will speak in the weeks to come of this story and talk about the tragedy it is. How will her kids grow up without a mom? Who will help her girls get ready for their wedding days? Why would God take such a beautiful woman so early?
Cathy was a strikingly beautiful woman, who was loved by all who knew her. She loved music and played violin, she taught science in various schools, and she was respected and revered. There was a spirit and a smile that went before Cathy, and she truly brought love into every encounter she had. Her greatest ministry was her family, and she gave her heart to teaching her children about Jesus Christ and living well.
I honestly can't really grasp that she is gone. I can't conceive how across the world there is no longer a Cathy Pike Asbridge walking around, laughing, hugging her family, smiling at strangers in the grocery store, leading a humble and beautiful life that honors Jesus. I can't take it in yet.
If I were in the United States I would be flying to Florida today. I would meet up with my youth group friends and hug and cry with them. We would share memories and stories. We would laugh and weep together. I would come to my great friend Charles and embrace him and tell him I love him, because no other words would fill the spaces of his grief. I wish I could be there, but I am not.
So in the absence of people to help me work through my own grief, my head is filled with a song. Nichole Nordeman wrote a song called 'Legacy' and it's about leaving a mark on this world for Jesus Christ. The song has come alive for the first time ever, because Cathy truly left an incredible legacy on this world. Her life was a sweet and beautiful offering to God. She didn't want accolades or praises, she truly just wanted to point to her Savior. She was successful in that goal.
Many will say she was taken too soon, but I can't help but wonder if it's the opposite. Cathy had bouts with cancer before, two actually. Both times the family faithfully prayed and stormed the doors of heaven asking God to heal her, and she was healed. Maybe her time to go to heaven was earlier, but God blessed this world with more years with Cathy then we ever deserved. Each day she was here was a gift, and her children will be forever marked with her grace, beauty, and love. Truly, truly, this world was brighter with her on it, and I feel grateful for all the moments I shared with her.
One thing I do know, is that now Cathy is with Jesus. And I also know that Cathy would encourage us all to live a legacy, to point to Christ, to offer each moment as worship. We should hold our kids tighter, hug our spouses longer, smile and offer kindness to strangers, and live lives that point to Jesus.
What is your legacy?
Love,
Sarah
Video reflection of 'Legacy' by Nichole Nordeman
3 comments:
Hey Sarah, my name is Lynsey Robbins and I was c/o 2000 at GJ. I found your blog when I googled Cathy. Thank you for posting this. Cathy was my science teacher and she had a beautiful spirit. I became a Christian 11 years ago at a Fun in the Son retreat led by Charles (you were there too =) ) That retreat sparked a lifelong passion for and pursuit of Christ. Anyway...I read these verses today and wanted to share them with you, and others. Isaiah 57:1-2..."The righteous perish and no one ponders it in his heart; devout (people) are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death." Praying for the Asbridge family, and for you Sarah as you follow God's calling in Africa!
Beautiful.
Beautiful.
Post a Comment