One moment she’s making you laugh because she was the epitome of godly joy and the next moment she’s gone home to be with the LORD, where I am sure she is making Him smile and laugh.
I remember when I first met her I just wanted to give her a hug. She seemed to me to be a good hugger. Since I’d just met her I didn't want to freak her out and throwing my arms around her may have been a little weird. After I got to know her though, I’d sneak a hug once in a while.
She was literally joy and energy. Always doing a million different things for other people and just giving of her self to others. Everyone she encountered smiled. It was like God had put her here on earth with a very special mission. I can imagine God saying, “Donna, I created you in your mother’s womb with an abundance of beautiful curly hair that will have a mind of it’s own. I have gifted you with an infectious laugh that will reach into the third heaven and will bring Me joy on My throne where I will laugh with you. I have given you a beautiful smile that will light up the room. And, when you come to know me as LORD and Savior, I will give you a new heart – My heart – for you are created in My image capable of so much love that everyone who meets you will see Me.”
When you lose someone so unexpectedly you question, “Why God? Why her? We need her here on earth with us.”
However, as I sit here writing because writing is my therapy and how I process grief, I know why God took her home.
She accomplished her God given special mission.
Everyone who met her encountered Jesus.
Everyone who talked to her heard His Word.
Everyone who heard her laugh heard His laugh.
Everyone who saw her teach children, care for others, worked with her, experienced her compassion, her thoughtfulness and selflessness saw a reflection of Jesus Christ.
I remember a few years ago, she was looking good! She was healthy and fit, melting before my eyes. We both struggled with our weight and we could empathize with one another. I asked her, “What are you doing?”
Her response was classic and cracked me up.
“Well, I started going to the gym at 4:30 a.m. and taking spin class. Then I decided to go for a walk and thought to myself, ‘I think I’ll start running.’ So, I took off running and I haven’t stopped.”
I just stood there laughing because who just starts running! My friend, that’s who. I remember being totally inspired. I thought to myself, “If my friend can do it, so can I.” And I started running. And that led to 5Ks and feeling healthy and it was all because of her. I remember her humbly telling me how people at the gym would come up to her and tell her how inspiring she was. And she was so surprised thinking what was the big deal about her. Well, I knew what the big deal was. I can imagine for those people dragging themselves into the gym at 4:30, her determination, smile, and just exuberance for life would have been inspiring and motivating, better than their morning cup of coffee and brighter than the sunrise.
There are so many more stories I could write about. I’m so thankful for pictures and videos on her social media that I have been replaying just to hear her laugh. When I got the news yesterday, I happened to be at the beach, which was her favorite place, her happy place she called it. Devastated and shocked beyond belief I took off walking down the beach collecting rocks and sand to make her a gift, something to remember her by and keep close to me. I looked out at the horizon, the clouds were gray and overcast with the sun rays poking through and reflecting light on the water. That was her life, beautiful shining light in a dark world. She so loved the LORD that the love of Jesus just radiated from her. I looked up and started talking to her, “I know you're up there with Jesus making Him laugh, full of joy dancing and singing. And there’s no place else you’d rather be but I’m going to miss you. I know you have so much energy and you couldn’t sit still for a moment so I know you’re already asking Jesus to give you something to do. Promise me you’ll ask Him to be assigned to the welcoming committee and welcome me home when I get there.” I could totally picture her, with her curly hair up in a head band, her smile radiating and her laugh making even the angels laugh, with an ID badge that says, “Hi, my name is Donna and I’m here to welcome you to the happiest place in the universe. Come this way and let me take you to see Jesus. He’s super cool in person! And then after, I’ll show you around, I’ll help you set up your mansion, and I’ll introduce you to some angels….” And she’d take off walking and talking 100 mph hour in front of me as I ran to catch up.
So, my dear friend has inspired me again.
To continue running so I can finish my race with endurance and cross that finish line and reach for my prize given to me by Jesus.
But more importantly, to make others laugh and feel loved like she did. I know she’s watching me from heaven. I want to make her smile and laugh at my antics to spread the gospel. I want her to see me do silly skits to show God’s love to my preschoolers. I want her to see me reach out and help those she helped in children’s ministry. I want to hug those who loved her and will need a hug. She was one of my prayer partners so I want to keep praying and inviting others to join me. I want God to use my life to leave a legacy of blessing others because that is her legacy.
What a gift it is to know that death for the Believer is not death. It’s just stepping out of this body and going home to be with Jesus. For Jesus promised that where He is we will be also. And where He is there is fullness of joy. So, I’m sad for us who have to wait to see her again but happy for her because I know she is in the arms of Jesus getting a hug from the King of hugs.
Until I see you again my friend, this post is a dedication of what you mean to me. I'll keep running until I catch up to you.
Psalm 116:15-19 (MSG)
What can I give back to GOD for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to GOD!
I’ll pray in the name of GOD;
I’ll complete what I promised GOD I’d do, and I’ll do it together with his people.
When they arrive at the gates of death, GOD welcomes those who love him.
Oh, GOD, here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of GOD.
I’ll complete what I promised GOD I’d do, and I’ll do it in company with his people,
In the place of worship, in GOD’s house, in Jerusalem, GOD’s city.
Hallelujah!
Love,
Yolanda
Donations are being raised for her memorial and medial expenses to help the family. If you are interested in donating, please visit: Memorial and Medical Costs for Donna Montes' Family
