Today I was sent a link on a story about a young girl named Ariane Noelle Patterson who died in her religion class after thanking God for allowing her to make it to 21 years old. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46054377/ns/local_news-charlotte_nc/#.TxiIICPLyw4)

Yes I was shocked, yet after reading the article and thinking about it to try and understand why, it came to me. Obviously the young lady may have had a medical history that made her stop to thank God for allowing her to live to 21 in the first place.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

She didn’t seem to be a bitter person over having some sort of life threatening illness. She was thankful that God allowed her to see 21. This may have been her personal prayer in the first place asking God to allow her to at least see 21, we will never know. But I will guess that she was a very brave soul who loved God and Jesus with all her heart. This is supported by the fact that she was in her religion class and thanking God.

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

We all know we have a number of days in our life, we just don’t know what the number is. Death shall come to us all without prejudice.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

As Christians we know that this life is just the beginning to help prepare us for what comes next. I for one will thank God in all situations and under all circumstances just as Job did. He did not get bitter and mean, he thanked God continually praising him. We also know that true life begins after death from this planet, so do not be sad for the Young lady as she may have been perfectly ready and willing to move on. Yet be happy that she is now with our Father in his Kingdom.

I will leave you with this-

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

God Bless,

Pastor Paul