She was a sister, a friend, a confidante, an accountability partner. I never thought things like these could happen to sweet people like her, but then, it was just sobering-- death does not pick favorites. It happens to everyone, to a bad or good person, to an undeserving or deserving one. Nobody's exempted.
I first met her when I was in my first year in college. I cannot remember exactly how, but I always recalled her then as someone active in co-curricular activities. She's friendly, a good speaker, an approachable woman, a cheery face in the college of engineering-- an upperclassman worth emulating. We were together in Engineering Chorale, and later, became friends. She was a lady whose encouragement and cheer helps a student to get along in between the pains of life. I enjoyed talking to her, her cheery tone of happiness in sharing what God had been teaching her in the passing days, even the kilig as we talk about a certain crush of hers.
What really became significant for me were the words of wisdom she would effortly message me in facebook about being courageous and brave as I take big leaps of faith to pass my subject during the last semester in my third year. She would check up on me, and never doubt to give me her time as we talk almost about anything. When she went to Manila to review for her exam, it always would flatter me to see her taking the time to send me messages asking about how I am, here in Iloilo despite her busyness. She would often share that it's hard work to be in constant review yet she is getting on it and is contented and satisfied, knowing that God is with her through it. When she wasn't able to pass the exam, she texted me about it and there was no hint of hate in her words. All that she could say was that she is joyful and she rests in the promise of the Lord that there is always a purpose.
I admired her. Always have. The greatness of a person is not always seen in the success of her achievements. She was a person who had her own share of failures, but what I saw was a woman who rested in the sovereignty of her God. She is great for she acknowledged that who she is was never out of what she can do, but what God would be doing through her. She shared her life, she spent it despite the fact that others may not reciprocate it, but she did, she still loved.
And yet, I may still be in wee bit of a shock, but I understand, everything's for a purpose. I may not see her messages in my inbox again, her dimple smiles, someone who'll tease me into calling Katrina, no sister to be teasing about a crush anymore, and one less friend to confide in about the stresses in college, but well, I need to move on.
No one knows what happens at the next second, yet what is sure is that everything is in the hands of the most Sovereign One. I am comforted that despite the sadness this has caused for those whom she had left here on this earth, where she is right now ought to put peace in our hearts. For right now, she is with the Father, walking hand in hand with Jesus, as how she had always been here on Earth-- in a relationship with Him. Because she had been in a relationship with Him by accepting Him in her life when she was alive through faith and trust in Jesus, that's where I rest my peace. Nang Kinna Esther Leysa is with Jesus and is enjoying eternal life with the Creator.
Her life on earth might be over, and with all the hearts she has touched when she was here, God's glory been revealed. And as Paul says, there would be a crown of righteousness for her who longed for His appearing.
It's not goodbye, but rather, TTYL nang Kinna.
God's glory be.
I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7
