I never met Brittney McBath, but I feel like I have always known her. This past summer when my friend Cindy called to ask if our Bible study would pray for Brittney, none of us knew the journey we would be embarking on together. Brittney was Cindy’s daughter, Jennifer’s best friend and sorority sister from college at the University of Florida.

Brittney was seventeen when she noticed her first symptoms of Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that is an extremely cruel and unpredictable illness. Yet despite her diagnosis and medical challenges over the years, Brittney was always a light of hope to others. Devoted to helping solve the mystery of Lupus, Brittney’s sweet demeanor always shined through, even in the most difficult of times.

But most importantly, she never let her illness get in the way of caring for others. She was the kind of person who extended unconditional friendship to you if you were lucky enough to know her.

Though none of us personally knew Brittney, except for Cindy, all of us at Sisters In Faith fervently prayed for her healing along with her family and friends. And, we have been edified to see the expressions of deep faith that carried Brittney into the arms of the Lord. Perhaps none as beautifully stated as the words of her dearest friend, Jennifer:

“When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure. I will always cherish the moments we had together as best friends. I will miss dancing and laughing with you until we cried. I will miss reminiscing on our college sorority days. I will miss helping you construct text messages to stupid boys who broke your heart. I will miss calling you up to ask what you’re wearing, only to know that the answer is always, “jeans & a cute top.”

Though nothing will take away the pain and sadness of losing you, I take solace in knowing you have such amazing peace. I will never fully comprehend or understand the “why” factor, and I am teaching myself every day to mourn with God instead of apart from Him. It’s times like these we tend to shut God out and be angry with Him. However, God is sovereign in all things good and bad, and I have to believe it is all a part of His much bigger plan.

We learn in the face of death that all external expectations we have of ourselves: all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure– all of these things just fade away, leaving only what is truly important in life. Brittney, you knew what was important in life, and always put others before yourself, including me.

2 Timothy 4:7 says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” You fought the good fight, sweet girl. I have no doubt the Lord has said, “Well done good & faithful servant.”

Your last text message to me said, “I can’t wait to see you.” This is not where it ends. We’ll be seeing each other again. I know that you are currently sniffing out a “VIP” section in Heaven! And I also know that when I arrive at the Pearly Gates, you’ll be there waiting, sipping champagne saying, “Gosh, what took you so long?!”

Until then, sweet Brittney, rest peacefully & enjoy dancing in the arms of Jesus.”

To learn more about Lupus, visit: www.lupus.org

A Lupus guide from VeryWellHealth.com https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-lupus-2249968