A life well lived

You are peace, you are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, you are true
Even in my wondering
You are joy, you are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, you are life
In you death has lost its sting

These words from the praise song "Forever Reign" were part of the last post Brie made on her family's blog just a few hours before heading back to Amarillo, TX. On her way home from celebrating Christmas with family last Sunday, her SUV was hit head-on by a car that crossed the center line. Brie was 30 years old and 7.5 months pregnant. In an instant, the life of a young family was tragically changed. After being care-flighted to a hospital, Brie's little boy, Curran, was delivered through an emergency c-section. He was only 3 lbs 1 oz when he was born. Brie passed away later that night as a result of the injuries she sustained in the accident. Her husband and two little girls, age 6 and almost 2 were also in the car at the time.

I didn't have an opportunity to know Brie very well since she was a few years older than I was and had already graduated by the time I moved to Dalhart. I went to high school with her brother and sister and attended church with her family. However, thanks to the wonders of Facebook and her family's blog I was able to keep up with the events in her life. Her love of Jesus and her love of her family is evident in her posts and comments. When a friend of hers who lives in my area was having health problems, Brie sent me a message to see if there was any way we could reach out to her. She was concerned, and wanted to make sure that her friend was OK. Her faith was sincere and evident to those who knew her. More than anything she wanted her children to know and love God. 

It's hard to understand why things like this happen. There are certainly no easy answers, especially for loved ones left behind. One thing is certain, Brie's life has made a difference to countless people. They could see in her the love and compassion of Christ. Even after her death, six more families have the gift of life because of organ donation. 

I bring her story up because I am a strong believer in the power of prayer and in the importance of bearing one another's burdens. Would you pray for her family? Pray for peace, grace, and provision in a time of great sorrow. Pray for baby Curran as he continues to struggle in NICU (particularly for his respiration and intestinal trouble). Pray for her husband Eric and two young daughters, Mali and Eleri, as they work through their grief. Pray that God can use Brie's testimony to point others to the hope of eternal life found through faith in Jesus Christ.

Brie's life and death have challenged me to make the most of the time I've been given. I'll freely admit that I've wasted a lot of time on things that really don't matter in the scheme of eternity. It has opened my eyes to the fragile nature of life on this earth, but it has also been a reminder that life continues even after we draw our last breath on the planet. Here is the chorus of the song Brie posted on her blog:

I'm running to your arms
I'm running to your arms
The riches of your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing no other name
Jesus, Jesus

To learn more about Brie and her testimony, you can visit her family's blog at http://brieericandmaligomez.blogspot.com/2010/12/forever-reign.html . 

You can view a news interview with Brie's dad, Tom, here.

 A fund has been set up at Happy State Bank, 3423 Soncy Rd, Amarillo, Texas, 79119, 806-354-2265 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              806-354-2265      end_of_the_skype_highlighting in the name of Curran Blaec and Eric Gomez family.  Donations can be made there for the family and baby Curran.

Also, if anyone is needing any new Scentsy in the new year, please go to www.loriatha.scentsy.us. She is doing a fundraiser for the Gomez/White family for baby Curran (3lbs 1oz) who is still in the NICU. All of her proceeds for the month of January are going to Curran! What an amazing way to help out a family in their time of need!