I’ve struggled to reconcile the events of the last 7 weeks until the morning of July 19th .during the Sunday morning sermon. Preacher said, “Faith is believing what God says.” What does that really mean for all of us?

Fran always said, “I’m fine.” Anyone could see that Fran was not ‘fine’ or ‘good’ as she would say. If you know anything about Fran, she loved Christmas in July movies. Many of us are not a fan, likely because they do not seem to be based in reality, but a supposed fairy tale myth of ‘happy endings.’ After watching several dozen movies with Fran in the last few weeks, I’ve had time to reflect on her love of these happy ending movies.

Fran lived in the moment with little concern for tomorrow or so it seemed. As frustrating as that personal philosophy may be for those of us who claim to be rooted in reality, I’m not so sure that Fran didn’t have a different outlook on life that most of us would do well to emulate at least in part. Fran overcame some earthly trials in her 82 years on this earth; divorce, loss of her home to flood, death of her husband, and lastly the events of her failing health over the last 2 months just to name a few. Yet in the last 2 months of her life, she kept saying, “I’m fine.” Maybe it was to self-protect from the harshness of reality thrust upon her, but I think she chose the better path. She had FAITH. Fran believed it would be okay, regardless of the circumstances. In the last 7 weeks, she cast off the cares of this temporary life and realized her possessions and staff were meaningless and found joy in the simple things of life, her family and church family, friends and lastly her cat Kasey. And let’s not forget about her Christmas in July movies.

Fran would start her day reading God’s word with a cup of tea in her hand and Kasey in her lap. She ended her final days on this earth exercising her faith, believing in God’s word. Regardless of her current circumstances it would be okay. And it was. Fran found her happy ending on July 16. Every time Fran said, “I’m fine,” she wasn’t referring to how she felt in the flesh, she was stating her confidence in the fact it would be okay. She was fine, because God said it, she believed it and she was going to be OKAY. She had FAITH.

We will always miss her but can be comforted by the simple truth she gave us. Have faith, it will be okay. God said it, Fran believed it and so do I. That’s enough for me.