Excerpt from Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Brooke Bronkowski was a beautiful fourteen year old girl who was in love with Jesus. When she was in Junior high she started a Bible study on her campus. She spent her babysitting money on Bibles so she could give them out to her unsaved friends. Youth pastors who heard about this brought her boxes of Bibles to give away.
Brooke wrote the following essay when she was about twelve; it will give you an idea of the kind of girl she was.
"Since I have My Life Before Me"
I'll live my life to the fullest. I'll be happy. I'll brighten up. I will be more joyful that I have ever been. I will be kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ. I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead help others with their troubles.
You see, I'll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age. Oh, I'll have moments, good and bad, but I will wipe away the bad and only remember the good. In fact that's all I remember just the good moments, nothing in between, just living my life to the fullest. I'll be one of those people who go somewhere with a mission, an awesome plan, a world-changing plan, and nothing will hold me back. I'll set an example for others, I will pray for direction.
I have my life before me. I will give others joy I have and God will give me more joy. I will do everything God tells me to do. I will follow the footsteps of God. I will do my best!!!
During her freshman year in high school, Brooke was in a car accident while driving to the movies. Her life on earth ended when she was just fourteen, but her impact didn't...
Remind you of anything? Of anyone? It did me. Yesterday morning my beautiful friend Theresa invited me to go to Sunday school, they had just started a new book. I hmmed and haaaed for a few minutes and had been so touched by the mornings "salty" sermon something said .. stay. I quickly texted a few people that would be worried if I didn't respond after church, because well we all know I have bad times and me disappearing for even a little bit would worry them and then I downloaded the book. Following everyone up to the room I was in aww the number of people in class, the last time I had attended it seemed I was in a room I didn't quite fit in, yesterday, it was just a feeling of peace, I even took a seat away from my beloved friends and protectors. (I am just now realizing that.. I just felt so "ok" I sat down in the first seat I saw). I opened the book on my phone hoping to skim a bit as we were talking; I had a few minutes as people said hello and had some random discussion. (I couldn't help but think about Chris Trusz during a discussion on doughnuts. I love ya my big doughnut!)
So here I sit skimming... Oh look a poem... oh wait an essay, either way I love those.. I started reading and the words were so powerful. So clear. (maybe I need to read stuff written by 12 year olds more often I get them) but as I finished up the essay and read the next words.. "Brooke was in a car accident while driving to the movies. Her life on earth ended" I thought my heart would stop. I thought the tears would fall.. I thought I would walk out... I thought I would throw up... I did none of those. I sat there in stunned silence, yes I heard silence. There was a classroom full of people.. I can't hear them, I still can't remember a word that was said. (Sorry Sunday School Class). I flipped through my bible.. just flipping pages.. back and forth.. forth and back.. finally landing on
Matthew 6:25-34New International Version (NIV)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I didn't have to read it.. I knew what it said... it was my favorite verse and reminded me so much of De. Then I heard.. Mommy.. I had my life before me. I lived my life to the fullest. I was happy. I was bright. I was joyful. I was kind to others. I went on adventures. I was bold and never let anyone change who I was. I helped and hugged people when needed and even when they didn't. I had my moments good and bad.. but I only remember the good, nothing else. I went somewhere on a mission, with an awesome plan.. a world changing plan, nothing held me back. I went to Heaven Mommy. I did my BEST!! Now Mommy it is your turn, you have to make sure that my story is history making and world changing, Mommy it's your turn, go on adventures, be happy, be bright, Mommy it is your turn remember the good not the bad, only the good, Mommy it is your turn .. because you have your life before you. Do your best!
Tonight I went to church and during our time to exchange peace.. which I would like to respectfully rename officially to "Hug Time" I asked Theresa.. did you read that book before class?? She replied "Yes, I did really early and I forgot.. I felt like a butt after I invited you... " I told her no it was ok.. but the band had started up again and I do not think she heard me. So Theresa, my dear sweet friend, you were supposed to forget.. you were supposed to invite me to class. I was supposed to read the worlds of Brooke's love, I was supposed to hear my sweet angel telling me "Mommy.. It's ok. You have your life before you.. Live. Live for me.. Live with me. You will be with me before you know it for eternity in a wonderful wonderful place. Mommy, you may not make it to tomorrow.. LIVE TODAY with no worries of tomorrow."
Theresa.. you say that God speaks to Brant.. yesterday God spoke to you, and through you spoke to me. I love you my friend. Since leaving Sunday School yesterday I have been more at peace than I have been in six months, you gave me a beautiful beautiful gift.
So to all of you.. I ask you, to remember to Give. LIVE. Hug. De's been telling to me to do this all a long, I was just too hard headed and stubborn to hear her until I read the words from another angel.
Much Love to all
De's Mommy
Brooke Bronkowski was a beautiful fourteen year old girl who was in love with Jesus. When she was in Junior high she started a Bible study on her campus. She spent her babysitting money on Bibles so she could give them out to her unsaved friends. Youth pastors who heard about this brought her boxes of Bibles to give away.
Brooke wrote the following essay when she was about twelve; it will give you an idea of the kind of girl she was.
"Since I have My Life Before Me"
I'll live my life to the fullest. I'll be happy. I'll brighten up. I will be more joyful that I have ever been. I will be kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ. I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead help others with their troubles.
You see, I'll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age. Oh, I'll have moments, good and bad, but I will wipe away the bad and only remember the good. In fact that's all I remember just the good moments, nothing in between, just living my life to the fullest. I'll be one of those people who go somewhere with a mission, an awesome plan, a world-changing plan, and nothing will hold me back. I'll set an example for others, I will pray for direction.
I have my life before me. I will give others joy I have and God will give me more joy. I will do everything God tells me to do. I will follow the footsteps of God. I will do my best!!!
During her freshman year in high school, Brooke was in a car accident while driving to the movies. Her life on earth ended when she was just fourteen, but her impact didn't...
Remind you of anything? Of anyone? It did me. Yesterday morning my beautiful friend Theresa invited me to go to Sunday school, they had just started a new book. I hmmed and haaaed for a few minutes and had been so touched by the mornings "salty" sermon something said .. stay. I quickly texted a few people that would be worried if I didn't respond after church, because well we all know I have bad times and me disappearing for even a little bit would worry them and then I downloaded the book. Following everyone up to the room I was in aww the number of people in class, the last time I had attended it seemed I was in a room I didn't quite fit in, yesterday, it was just a feeling of peace, I even took a seat away from my beloved friends and protectors. (I am just now realizing that.. I just felt so "ok" I sat down in the first seat I saw). I opened the book on my phone hoping to skim a bit as we were talking; I had a few minutes as people said hello and had some random discussion. (I couldn't help but think about Chris Trusz during a discussion on doughnuts. I love ya my big doughnut!)
So here I sit skimming... Oh look a poem... oh wait an essay, either way I love those.. I started reading and the words were so powerful. So clear. (maybe I need to read stuff written by 12 year olds more often I get them) but as I finished up the essay and read the next words.. "Brooke was in a car accident while driving to the movies. Her life on earth ended" I thought my heart would stop. I thought the tears would fall.. I thought I would walk out... I thought I would throw up... I did none of those. I sat there in stunned silence, yes I heard silence. There was a classroom full of people.. I can't hear them, I still can't remember a word that was said. (Sorry Sunday School Class). I flipped through my bible.. just flipping pages.. back and forth.. forth and back.. finally landing on
Matthew 6:25-34New International Version (NIV)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I didn't have to read it.. I knew what it said... it was my favorite verse and reminded me so much of De. Then I heard.. Mommy.. I had my life before me. I lived my life to the fullest. I was happy. I was bright. I was joyful. I was kind to others. I went on adventures. I was bold and never let anyone change who I was. I helped and hugged people when needed and even when they didn't. I had my moments good and bad.. but I only remember the good, nothing else. I went somewhere on a mission, with an awesome plan.. a world changing plan, nothing held me back. I went to Heaven Mommy. I did my BEST!! Now Mommy it is your turn, you have to make sure that my story is history making and world changing, Mommy it's your turn, go on adventures, be happy, be bright, Mommy it is your turn remember the good not the bad, only the good, Mommy it is your turn .. because you have your life before you. Do your best!
Tonight I went to church and during our time to exchange peace.. which I would like to respectfully rename officially to "Hug Time" I asked Theresa.. did you read that book before class?? She replied "Yes, I did really early and I forgot.. I felt like a butt after I invited you... " I told her no it was ok.. but the band had started up again and I do not think she heard me. So Theresa, my dear sweet friend, you were supposed to forget.. you were supposed to invite me to class. I was supposed to read the worlds of Brooke's love, I was supposed to hear my sweet angel telling me "Mommy.. It's ok. You have your life before you.. Live. Live for me.. Live with me. You will be with me before you know it for eternity in a wonderful wonderful place. Mommy, you may not make it to tomorrow.. LIVE TODAY with no worries of tomorrow."
Theresa.. you say that God speaks to Brant.. yesterday God spoke to you, and through you spoke to me. I love you my friend. Since leaving Sunday School yesterday I have been more at peace than I have been in six months, you gave me a beautiful beautiful gift.
So to all of you.. I ask you, to remember to Give. LIVE. Hug. De's been telling to me to do this all a long, I was just too hard headed and stubborn to hear her until I read the words from another angel.
Much Love to all
De's Mommy
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