A Tribute To Lisa...

"Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:15-16,19-20, NIV)

We lost a great one yesterday.

Lisa Lengacher, whose life could be described by the verses above, went home to be with Jesus at the age of 39 yesterday morning. It's hard to believe that she's gone from us here...I know I still am in shock from hearing it. We still don't yet know what caused it, but we know she had accepted Christ into her heart, and that's enough for now. I've known Lisa for about 20 years, and I'd like to tell you a little bit about her...

In high school, Lisa was one of those "it" girls. You know what I mean...the kind of girl every guy wants to date and every girl wants to be. She was very beautiful and outgoing. She was a cheerleader, a member of the swing choir, and a friend to anyone she knew, regardless of their social status. I had always admired Lisa from afar, and got the chance to get to know her when I started dating one of her good friends. Lisa was just what I imagined she'd be. She was one of those people who made you feel like you were the only one in the room when she was talking to you. She genuinely cared about you and what you had to say, and always gave you her full attention. Right around her graduation, I think, she and Jeff started to date. Our girlfriends were roommates at Taylor, and I spent a few rides down to Upland with Jeff and got to know him. He loved Lisa dearly, and they were married about a year later.

I kind of lost touch with Jeff and Lisa over the next few years as we attended different churches and started our families. About eight or ten years ago, they came to my church and got involved in children's ministry, creating a program for 5th and 6th graders to fill a much needed void. They asked me to be a part of it and, after wrestling with God, I accepted. Watching Lisa with the young boys and girls in the class, I was impressed to see the very same girl I knew in school, one that would take all the time in the world to listen to the problems of an 11 or 12 year old, and talk and pray with them. She led the music for our group, and her love of singing and praising God rubbed off on everyone, including me. She also was involved in mission trips to help those in need, most notably her experience with Samaritan's Purse in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Listening to her share with our congregation, it was clear that God gave her a heart for service...and that blossomed into a brand new ministry that will be her legacy.

Lisa and Jeff have always had room in their hearts for latch-key and at-risk kids. On their own, they have spend time with and mentored many young kids over the years. About two years ago, they had the vision to create an after school program for kids that would provide a safe place to be, along with help with schoolwork, and a Christian atmosphere of love and acceptance. This vision has become "The Compass", and is flourishing in its first full year in operation. (You can click the link above to learn more, and you can read Lisa's own posts and thoughts on this ministry.)

Lisa had a very child-like personality and faith, and I mean this as the greatest compliment. She believed that there was nothing God couldn't do, and seemed to be genuinely amazed and excited at His blessings and answers to prayer every day. No matter what state she was in, Lisa always had a smile and personality that left you feeling better after talking to her.

No matter how much all of us miss Lisa right now, we know she is in an awesome place right now. The headaches she struggled with will never bother her again. Any of her illnesses will not touch her anymore. Someone heard one of Lisa's sister-in-laws speaking yesterday and she said this: "Knowing Lisa, she's in such awe of all she's seeing up there, she probably hasn't closed her mouth yet!" (She's exactly right...and thinking about Lisa there in heaven does make me smile.) Lisa will spend eternity now praising God, singing, and waiting at the gates to meet all the many people she's known and influenced for God's kingdom over her lifetime. I know we all can't wait to see her again.

He's no theologian, but Garth Brooks said it best in his song, "The Dance":

"Looking back, on the memories of
The dance we shared, 'neath the stars above
For a moment, all the world was right
How could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye?

But I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end
The way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance"

Garth got one thing wrong: our lives are not left to chance, they are in the hands of God, and even though we can't see His plan right now, we just climb up in His mighty arms and let Him hold us during this time. Garth was right about this, and I think I can speak for Jeff, his family, and everyone of us that knew Lisa: no matter how bad it hurts to lose her, none of us would trade the pain for the memories we have of her.

Goodbye Lisa, and "thanks for the dance"...and we all can't wait to see you again someday...