When a Woman Named Whitney Speaks to the Heart

In her novel Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers presented her personal testimony in the love story of Michael Hosea, farmer, and the hardened prostitute Sarah during the California gold rush of 1850. I remember crying so hard over Michael's unflagging love for Sarah that I could not see the printed page. Even when she left the tender care of his love and returned to her former way of life, he went back for her.

That's how God loves us . . .you and me.

 

 

I remember Beth Moore telling about how God kept her humble throughout the years of her expanding ministry and amazing popularity among Christian women. He allowed her to fall once early in her journey of faith, and spoke to her heart, "I want you to remember that I am the One Who keeps the lid on that garbage can of your past."

 

On February 11th, I was sitting in the library when I read the news of Whitney Houston's death on my Google home page, and I was surprised by the surge of emotion that I experienced.  I was not really a fan, and I had not followed her career, but I Will Always Love You hits my heart like a rocket every time I hear it, and  I played the tune over and over for a half hour that night in the Library.

I was aware of her drug problem and the general criticism in the press concerning her lifestyle. I've learned a little more due to all of the news coverage since her death, but most of it is too sordid to bear.

But I don't feel superior.

I just feel immeasurably sad.

Whitney could be any of us.

That's just how I see things.

This afternoon I ran across Tyler Perry's eulogy, and now a few pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place for me. I know why I was so deeply affected when I heard the news of her passing. (Would you be willing to listen to Mr. Perry's eulogy? If so, please consider scrolling down to the player and pressing pause before playing the video.)

 

A Broken Heart slipped the bonds of earth Saturday, slipped right through its membrane into a far better world.

I, for one, think it was a Rescue Mission, and I believe that when Whitney sang "I Will Always Love You". . .she heard it first from the One who sang over her.

She was just too entangled in this world to keep the lid on.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

~Romans 8:39