On August 3, 1968, 46 years ago today, God gave this world a very special gift in Kristen McColl Sauder. What an incredible gift she was!
Douglas Gresham was the step-son of C.S. Lewis who was married to his mother Joy. When she passed away, Gresham wrote that “she filled Lewis’ world as the greatest gift that God had ever given him”. I can say the same thing. Many times, I would tell Kristen “Honey, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, besides Jesus.” I’m so grateful for the almost 25 years that God gave us together. What an incredibly rich relationship and marriage we had! What a blessing! What a joy!
Gresham also writes this about his mom and C.S. Lewis: “The greater the love the greater the grief and the stronger the faith the more savagely will Satan storm its fortress”. This is how the kids and I have felt about Kristen over the last six months. We had a rich, deep love– and therefore, we grieve deeply. But we are so grateful that Jesus Christ conquered the grave. That he prepared a way for Heaven. That he prepared for us– who put their faith and trust in Him– a way we can all be together again one day. What a great promise; what a great hope! I can’t wait to enter into the fullness of eternity!
Thank you so much for your many prayers, encouragement, notes, and support, especially on this special day.
Love and blessings, Kurt
PS. Lewis’ “A Grief Observed” is a little book that has brought great comfort to me over the last few months. It chronicles his deep grief when Joy passed away. I highly recommend it to those who have lost loved ones– for encouragement in their grieving process.
Our condolences on this special birthday of Kristen. The C.S. Lewis stories always are consoling. Another one like it is Surprised by Joy by Sheldon Vanauken. God’s blessings on you and your family. The Borntraegers
Thank so much for sharing this post.
My father was born also on Aug.3,1921 and passed away at the age of 56 on Jan.4, 1978. I miss him and my Mother who passed away 4 yrs ago. I too find peace in knowing He prepared a way for us to reunite one day.
Thank you also for suggesting the book by CS Lewis, I will be purchasing on for myself and one for our lifelong friend Janice, who’s husband Tom passed away just yesterday. We were high school friends, we married 1 month apart and our children were born close together. We all would be celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year. We will be celebrating Tom’s life this Wed. Aug. 5th.
God Bless you and your family and for continuing Further Still Ministry, we pray for your family, we are thankful for the example of your beautiful family and we are blessed to have heard Kristen speak many times and we miss seeing her smile along the rest of you as you all entered door #10 at SECC on Sat. nights without fail and saying “thank you” to us, your greeters
Special days like birthdays and holidays have to be extra difficult. I so admire you and your family allowing us to walk alongside of you through this grief journey. It is a journey that never ends until you are re-united with your beloved. I hope it brings a measure of comfort to know you are not walking alone.
MY DEAR Sauders, much love to you all. Kristen was precious. Nobody on earth loved Jesus more.
Blessings,
Todd McCauley
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