Ashley’s life of selfless love, service, and faith left a lasting legacy for her grieving family and a powerful reminder of heaven’s hope.
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Speaking God’s Language – Throughout the Bible, God encourages us to bring before him our worship and praise, confession, thanksgivings, intercessions, and petitions. As Christians grow in the discipline of praying, it becomes clear that there is always more to learn. Joni Eareckson Tada shares insights and personal stories that will hone your skill of including scripture in your prayers.
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SHAUNA: This is Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Here’s Joni reminding us that there’s nothing like a bond between mother and daughter.
JONI: I’ve seen that bond between Jill Miller and her daughter, Ashley. With Mother’s Day coming up, I can’t think of a more touching story than theirs. Because Ashley was the family’s Mother Theresa – I mean this young woman cared about everybody and their needs. Even when she was little, Ashley had an unusual compassion for hurting people – like her younger sister, Kim, who has autism. It always bothered Ashley that Kim could not speak. But little sister opened big sister’s eyes to a whole world of young people with disabilities, and it’s why eventually Ashley chose special education as a career. Compassionate Ashley even took her sister to a speech computer camp to learn how to speak through a computer. What an unusual, wonderful way for Ashley’s prayers to be answered. Kim can finally speak, all because of a caring older sister.
Well, things got harder when in her mid-30s Ashley was diagnosed with cancer. Her mother Jill was amazed at the selfless way she handled the disease. Jill, and her husband Paul would watch, as their daughter – on her way to the chemo clinic – their daughter would hand out homemade lunches to homeless people. Always this young woman was looking out for others – especially when she married and had children of her own. It’s why it was especially hard on the family when, at age of 42, this remarkable young woman, Ashley, passed away from cancer. Such an exceptional follower of Christ; taken at such a young age.
And Paul and Jill miss her terribly. I keep in contact with Jill and she often shares how hard it is, how much she misses her beautiful daughter. There’s not a day that goes by she doesn’t think about her. As a grieving mother, Jill often speaks about that glorious time when she’ll see her dear, brave Ashley again in heaven. And it is for this reason that Jill keeps on her kitchen windowsill a bowl of small potatoes. That bowl of little potatoes is such a comfort. Why is that? Well, as Jill tells me, every day when she’s at her kitchen sink, and looks up and sees that bowl of potatoes, it’s a reminder of a favorite paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. Get this – because I think this paraphrase will bless you, too. It says, “These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today and gone tomorrow. But the things we cannot see will last forever.”
What heartwarming words for any mom who’s grieving the loss of her child. And you can see why that bowl of potatoes encourages Jill. And if the idea of heaven encourages you in your loss, think about hunting down a good paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 4. And then, set a few small potatoes on your kitchen windowsill. Keep them as a visible reminder that the hard times we experience here are small potatoes compared to the gloriously good times ahead in heaven. Today, if you’re grieving the loss of your child much like Jill, then I pray this Mother’s Day will be a good cause to reflect on all the sweet remembrances of your daughter or your son. And may those memories spur your thoughts on toward heaven.
SHAUNA: Listening friend, if you’ve lost a child, if you’ve lost anyone, we know that is not small potatoes. God’s Word tells us to mourn with those who mourn, and our hearts hurt for you. And we’d like the honor of holding you up in prayer. So, visit us today at joniradio.org. Tell us the name of your loved ones, the ones you’re missing today, and let us know how we can best pray for you. You are important to us, friend, and we want to hear from you. So, stop by soon at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends