A precious friend of mine from Little Rock died today after a hard battle with cancer. Janet Greenwood was an amazing lady who loved the Lord immensely. She would run Powerpoint during the worship service, and she would be clicking between slides with one hand as she stood and raised the other to her Father. Her entire face would light up as she sang and glorified her King. She was truly inspirational to watch.

I remember several years ago her sharing with me that she had been praying for her husband for around 25 or so years. David is a precious man who adored her and of whom she always spoke so highly, but He didn’t know Jesus. She asked me to pray, and, of course, because she asked me, I did. All the while, in the back of my mind, I had strong doubts that after such a long period of time he would ever become a Christ-follower. Her faith was contagious, though, and as Rowland and I and many others prayed for David, she began to share small steps she was seeing her husband take. I’ll never forget the afternoon that Mark Schatzman, the senior pastor, called our home to tell us that David had prayed to receive Christ and was on his way to tell Janet. Rowland and I both cried, jumped up and down, and thanked God for softening David’s heart and giving him the faith he needed. By asking me to pray for her husband, I witnessed her undying faith and God’s great work. What a powerful example of a praying wife!

There were numerous times through the years that Janet and I would pray for each other. I always knew that if she said that she was praying, she was. Likewise, I felt honored to pray for her and those issues that were close to her heart. Janet was a “safe place” to share my heart. I never heard her gossip or say anything ugly about anyone. She was a woman who sought God and was still a “real” person who had her own struggles and heartaches. And she was willing to share those struggles if she thought it would be an encouragement to someone else. Before me, she had walked in places that I, too, walked. She would share what she had learned from those experiences as she came alongside me.

I love David as well. (He has always reminded me of David Hasselhoff!) David always has a smile on his face, one of those smiles that makes you feel liked, special. And he always has a hug. Rowland was honored to be able to “help” baptize him. I still remember the tears running down my cheeks and those of so many others in the room. People seemed to be drawn to David and Janet.

Watching David and Janet together was watching a love story, watching two people who had committed to love each other for life continue to fight for each other through the good times and the bad times. Theirs was a special love. In the end, David was able to sit with her and read Scripture to her as she calmly left this world. He was able to love her in the most special way right up to her leaving this Earth. David said that everyone who saw her noticed that even in death she looked radiant. Of course, she would! That was Janet. She was looking at Jesus face to face. I can only imagine her now as she sings praises to her Lord without the barrier of this world. I can see her beautiful face as she raises her hands and radiates the love she has for Him. And I can almost hear Him saying, “You lived SO well! Good job, my precious daughter! I am proud of you!!”

Janet, I love you, and I will never forget you. I’ll worship with you again one day, my sweet friend!