YES everything is going to be okay in the end

Two years ago I wrote a post about Brittany Barringer. She had just been diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Aware of the battle she was going to be faced with in the months (and years it turned out) to come, she clung to the glory and all the promises of the God she so strongly believed in and proclaimed, "YES everything is going to be okay in the end - He promised!" You can read the full beginning of her story here but in a nutshell, just before her cancer diagnosis she had an experience that changed her forever:

In an instant I had the faith to believe in all the promises of God.  Something changed inside me. I found myself saying, "yes", "yes", "yes" to everything He was offering me. Yes, to His light on dark days. Yes, to sunshine in the midst of that rain! Yes, I believe, I believe, I believe in everything He has promised even when I don't see those things playing out in my life right now.

I drove home with that YES on my lips and new light burning brightly from behind my eyes.  Everything seemed a little better.  I didn't understand how that happened or why that happened but I understood I needed to recieve it fully.   

"YES" was her answer to everything God was offering her (blessings and hardships) and when she received her diagnosis a short time later, everything made sense to her. Her unwavering YES inspired her husband to construct a huge 4' x 4' YES which hung in front of their house as a Holy witness.

Last week Brittany passed from this life on earth as we know it and began a new life in eternity. For over two years she did everything she could to beat the cancer and in spite of all the physical and emotional pain she suffered as she fought the battle of her life she continued to be an inspiration to others through her life, her faith and through her blog on Caring Bridge. Her faith did not waver. Her love for the Lord grew stronger. She continued to say, YES."

As a friend of mine who knew her personally said, she walked the faithful walk before and during the cancer - but not because of the cancer. She was a passionate Christ follower before the cancer and in spite of all her own suffering she continued to be a blessing and encourager to others. "She was a walking testimony for Jesus Christ - for all to see and hear. A good and faithful servant" is what was written on the final blog post on Caring Bridge which announced her passing. She was truly an inspiration to everyone who came into her path.

I can't imagine the loss her family and friends are feeling right now. But I know they must feel a tremendous comfort knowing the peace that Brittany experienced because of her faith and her assurance that she will one day see her loved ones "on the other side." She will be greatly missed.

"Let not your hearts be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." 

 - John 14:1-2 

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