Once Upon A Time

The word that comes to mind when I think of Michelle is creative. Michelle looked at all of life through a unique perspective. Whether producing a graphic design project, or creating her famous one-of-a-kind greeting cards, or recording personal reflections in her journal, Michelle did it with passion and creativity.

The reason so many of you are here today is because your lives have been impacted by Michelle's in a profound and personal way. Everything about Michelle was unique and authentic. The care she demonstrated for her family and friends was personal and heart-felt. A hand-made note, a personal conversation, dropping her own project to help a friend in need, these were all common place for Michelle.

Michelle loved to create, she loved people, she loved her family, and she loved her God. Michelle trusted Jesus Christ as her Savior as a small girl, but it was in middle-school years that Michelle's faith was put to the test.

Michelle shared with me how she struggled during her early teens to fit in, to have the right friends, to be popular and to have the right look. She found herself being influenced by and conforming to the opinions of others. During this key time in her young life, Michelle said she made the decision that she wanted to live her life to please Christ alone. That God's opinion of her was more important than what others thought.

Michelle decision to follow Christ began to shape and define who she was to become. If there is anything I would like people to hear today, it is this: That a relationship with Christ is not about conforminging behavior and rule keeping. Rather a relationship with Christ is about being becoming fully human, being transformed into a life full of possibility, and creativity. A life that is beyond our imagination and dreams.

Ephesians 3:20-21 says: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!

God began to transform Michelle into a one-of-a-kind, not to be duplicated young woman. His unique fingerprints were all over her life. Her passion for life was a reflection of His passion. Her love for people was an expression of His love. Her creative imagination was a reflection of His creativity. Her passion was to use her artistic talents to create children's books that would inspire and transform lives. Michelle didn't want an ordinary life, she wanted to make a difference.

The transformation that occurred in Michelle's life is reflected in this short journal entry. "I like writing the number four with the top open. I used to write my four with a closed top, but fours shouldn't try to impersonate a nine. Fours need to learn how to celebrate their four-ness."

Michelle learned to celebrate her 4-ness. She decided to quit impersonating a 9 and in the process became all that God had created her to be in Christ. I know I speak for so many of you when I say, my life has been enriched by knowing Michelle. In becoming who God designed her to be, she became a precious gift to us all. Thank you Michelle for deciding to follow Jesus.
Today we grieve our loss but we celebrate Michelle's gain. Today, Michelle is in heaven, exploring, creating, discovering, writing, and imagining. She has more colors to work with and more projects to create.

Today a new story is being written in heaven. It's a story within a larger love story about a king who loved his people so much that he sent His only Son to die a cruel death for our sin. And best of all, it's a story without end, that will continue on forever. You see, once upon a time there was a girl named Michelle who put her child-like faith in Jesus.

You can click on the picture above to see a slideshow of Michelle's art work. You can also visit the Cedar Memorial website to read Michelle's guest book entries.