Yesterday I learned that Kristi DeVore Shores’ life on earth had ended. I was saddened by the news that this beautiful, vibrant thirty-nine year old woman had lost her brief battle with stomach cancer. She was diagnosed with the illness less than three months ago. As she fought her brave battle, family members and friends interceded with God on her behalf. On Tuesday God healed Kristi. It was not the healing we had hoped for, yet it was an answer to our prayers. When Kristi’s eyes closed, her soul was transported into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
My heart aches for the family she left behind: her loving husband Ryan who dreamed of growing old with her, three precious children who are young enough to need a mother’s daily care, godly parents who set a wonderful example for their children in their marriage and their daily walk with Christ, and three siblings who have stayed close despite busy lives of their own. From their Facebook posts, I know the family members are sad, but they are also happy that Kristi is pain-free and they are secure in the knowledge that they will see Kristi again when their time on Earth comes to an end.
There are hundreds of posts on Kristi’s Facebook page and web site. Some friends share the many ways Kristi touched their lives, while others tell funny stories about her. Most offer words of condolences to her family. All loved her and were better off for having known her.
Those of us who knew Kristi have perfect assurance that Kristi is in Heaven. Kristi is not in Heaven because she was kind or loving. She didn’t earn her way into Heaven through generosity or good works. She isn’t there because she was a loving wife, a caring mother, a dutiful daughter, and a precious sister. Kristi was all those things and many more. Yet, Kristi knew that she could never be good enough to get to Heaven on her own. Many years ago Kristi acknowledged what is true of all of us, that she was a sinner in need of a Savior. Kristi believed that Jesus Christ died for her sins and she confessed Him as her Lord and Savior. And because she did, she is spending eternity in Heaven.
Perhaps you’ve been told that there are many roads to Heaven. It sounds nice and many people believe that. However, God’s Word teaches us that Jesus is the only way. “There is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.
Where will you spend eternity? If you haven’t accepted Jesus’ free gift of salvation, I urge you to do so today. The rest of your life on Earth will be better, and you will receive the promise of an eternity in Heaven.
Susan's Reflections 