Jesus said do not store up treasures here on earth but rather store up treasures in heaven. Almost every day I am amazed as I reflect back on the life of Kristen and how she truly lived out this passage. I continue to see incredible fruit from her life and how she stored up treasures in heaven. Just this past week I received a letter how her life continues to go on impacting and influencing others.
The note reads: “Dear Kurt, Just a quick note to share a story that illustrates the far-reaching effect of Kristen’s life. My wife and I have been volunteering at a home for troubled boys in a tiny town of about 400 about two hours from Louisville. After a movie night with the boys, we stayed overnight to attend the worship service at a Christian church- a congregation of less than 50. The pastor was concluding a sermon series about Ruth and at the end of the service he showed two of the video clips of Kristen – which she had recorded shortly before her passing. Those two video clips powerfully influenced those folks, and we just thought you would like to know – that her story continues to reach even the smallest communities in the most rural areas.”
I continue to praise God for Kristen’s life and the legacy that she lived and left us. Let me share just a few ways she lived to lay up treasures in heaven.
1. She consistently spent time alone with the Lord in deep prayer and was immersed into the Scriptures daily through study, meditation and reflection.
2. She had a deep love and concern for people. She wanted to intentionally love, care and pray for others and did so on a consistent basis in my 25 years of knowing her.
3. She was crazy about her kids (Olivia, Drew, Ivy and Ellie) and wanted to thoroughly disciple, equip and prepare them to be disciple makers. She loved to spend time with them – pouring into them on a consistent and regular basis. She had opportunities to do a lot more ministry in a bigger and broader context, but many times she declined those opportunities so that she could pour into her children. May we follow Kristen’s example. Let’s store up treasures in heaven!
Dear Kurt and Family,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCilbkA-wxw is a BEAUTIFUL song by Dick and Melodie Tunney (formerly of Truth and First Call). I loved this song when it came out. It’s called, “I’m Praying for You.” And just so you know, the Robbins are praying for you. We cannot even begin to imagine what you are feeling but we are praying for you dear Sauder family.
Scott, Debbie, and Jackson