Remembering Sonja

The first time I met Sonja I was immediately captivated by her twinkling eyes and sparkling smile. She had accompanied her son Eric, our worship leader and friend, to the Home Bible Study fellowship where we gathered twice a month. I instantly liked her. Though we had just met, she had an easy way of making it seem as if we had always known each other.

As I got to know her over the years, I grew to love and admire her deeply as a woman of God. She was always full of the joy of the Lord. Though she was married to an unbeliever, I never heard a word of complaint or criticism cross her lips. She simply prayed and loved her husband while trusting the Lord to work in his heart. Whenever she was absent from the study, we knew she was happily traveling with him, her best friend. They visited typical destinations such as Hawaii as well as offbeat places. She loved to regale us with stories of their travels.

Sonja genuinely cared about people. She was interested in hearing about our lives, always asking about our kids and faithfully praying for them. She never failed to offer a word of encouragement and supported our efforts in homeschooling.

Last year, we were saddened to hear of her husband's health problems and our Bible study group prayed continually on his behalf. We were overjoyed when Sonja shared an answer to many years of prayer--her husband had started attending church with her! We continued to pray for him. After our Bible study ended in December, we believed we'd always keep in touch. She was the kind of friend to whom you never wanted to say goodbye.

That's why it was such a shock when we got the phone call last week saying that she had experienced a brain aneurism while vacationing in Hawaii with her husband. One moment she was here; the next moment she was with her precious Lord and Savior.

But we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Eric said, "Mom and I recently spoke about Hawaii and how we consider it paradise on earth. But she also knew that true paradise was to come. Now she is there!"

Today, at Sonja's memorial service, we heard all three of her grown children testify of her love, joy, dedication as a mother and especially of her faith in a great God. As children of a true Proverbs 31 woman, they rose up and called her blessed. It was in those moments her legacy was clearly evident. Her legacy is the faith of her children, who are walking on the same road--hand in hand with her grandchildren--leading them to the same Home where they will be welcomed by the same Arms of Love.

As I heard Eric speak about his mom, I couldn't help but pray, "Lord, when I'm gone, may my children love you in the same way. That is my sole desire as a mom." I know that was Sonja's desire also. I once asked her, "Sonja, how does it feel to listen to your son play guitar so beautifully and lead worship? That must be an incredible source of joy for you." She replied, "Oh, yes it is! But do you know what I love even more? When I hear Eric pray. Because that's when I really hear his heart for God."

God has been glorified in her life. I am assured that her welcome Home began with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord."

May those same words echo in my ears on that day. But more importantly, may they echo in the ears of my children as well.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15