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Sunday, December 5, 2010

What message is your life portraying?

 October 4, 2009, a woman named Janna married John, the man of her dreams.
A beyond beautiful couple. 

On December 8, 2009, still a newlywed, Janna was killed in a bizarre accident.
Done with work for the day, she got out of her car in the parking lot of her apartment complex when a snow plow truck backed into her and took her life.
28 years old.
John's wife for only 2 months.
A groom who pulled into the parking lot as the ambulance was loading his beautiful bride into the back.
In a matter of moments John went from a groom to a widower.
60 plus days married, a life time ahead of missing her.

I didn't know Janna personally, but was so moved by her story that I contacted her Dad, Jon, by e-mail and we've talked on the phone a few times. One of the first things he wanted me to know about her was that his little girl has a passion for Jesus. Since she was young.
I say "has" because it's an eternal thing that only increases once you hit the floors of heaven and something that doesn't end with your last breath.

I joined the Remembering Janna Moore Morin Facebook page shortly after her death and have cried many times from the posts and pictures that people have shared about her. Especially the ones from her BFF's and her Dad, Jon.

I've also looked at her Facebook page. Unless you're her friend, you can only see the Info page.
I was amazed at what I read. Here's a little bit of what she had written...
In the "about me" section:
Religious views: John 14:6 "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me."-Jesus.
Favorite Quotations: 
*Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 

*Mark 13:13 All men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 

*John 3:3 Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 

*John 14:6 I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

*John 15:18 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you. No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. 

*Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.


But this part is what got me the most under her Bio:


I'm a hairstylist that has never stopped moving. literally...I moved back  to 

Nebraska in February for my how husband after living in San Diego for a few

years. I got married October 4th, 2009 and am now living the life as a 
newlywed.

The Lord guides my steps in all I do, and my goal in life is to live a life pleasing in His sight. 
I will be in Heaven with Him someday...
Will you?






Janna and John's engagement photo...she had no idea her time with him as his wife would be so short.


When she was the center of attention at her Bridal shower, she didn't have a clue that she'd see Jesus so soon...


And when she became Mrs. John Morin that day in October she didn't know she'd die as a newlywed.


She didn't know she'd die before her 30th birthday, as none of us know the day we are going to die and leave this earth.

What Janna did know though with any doubt to even those who never had the privilege of meeting her, is that she loved Jesus Christ with everything in her and she had no shame in sharing Him.
From what I've read in her very own words and what I've heard from her Dad about her is that her love for Jesus was undeniable.

A beauty of a woman from the inside out with a message that Jesus Christ was Who she loved and lived for and she knew that one day, sooner than what anyone thought, she'd be with her Savior.
She even had Isaiah 53:5 tattooed on her arm. A tattoo her Dad said that she had put on her arm with purpose. When she was cutting hair and her client asked her about it she was able to witness to them.


What messages about your life are you purposely sending out?
If you have a Facebook...what is that people can without a doubt say about you just from your Info page?
Under "religion" do you mark "Christian", but then live a life that doesn't portray Christ at all?
Is Christ just another part of your life, or is He your life?
What unspoken message can be said of your life and your beliefs?
Christ was never meant to be your best kept secret, but to be shared with others.


"Knowing" Janna over the last year has made me more aware that I am the one in charge of how I portray myself. I'm the one who chooses what I want others to know about me. Do I get it right all of the time? No way, but when I feel immediate conviction over my choices, it makes me want to do better next time. And so I seek forgiveness from God and move forward. If there's one thing about me that I want people to know it's Jesus. Not that I'm a wife, mom or Grandma or that I love writing. Jesus. That's Who I want my life to portray.

Today, as I am, ask yourself...what message are people getting from my life?
If you can't honestly say Jesus, then I pray that you shift your priorities and make Him your #1 and if you don't know Him at all, I hope you choose Him.
He's not a choice of religion, for He's more than just saying that you're a Christian.
Anyone can believe in Jesus. The difference is allowing Him to live through you.

Please keep Janna's husband John and her family and friends in your prayers this week as they come upon the 1 year anniversary of her homecoming and their 2nd Christmas without her.

And today...make Jesus your choice above anyone and everything.
Allow Him to be the message of this short life you're living here on earth.

The Lord guides my steps in all I do, and my goal in life is to live a life pleasing in His sight. 
will be in Heaven with Him someday...
Will you?
~Janna Moore Morin~


Blessings,

11 comments:

Andrea said...

Lelia,

Thank you so much for sharing Janna's story and life with us. I will be praying for her family.

Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea

Vanessa Clifford said...

I am so blessed to know that Janna has left an imprint on your heart. I was a close friend of hers and miss her deeply. I know that the Lord's plans are way bigger than our eyes can see and I accept whatever reason He took her home when He did. I just miss her so much. God bless you and may you continue to be a light for those that God has allowed you to cross paths with.

Jennifer said...

WIth tears streaming down my face....Praying for this sweet family.....

HisPrincess said...

oooo...ouch...hmmmm...

I am ashamed to admit that I don't always post on facebook exactly what is on my heart for fear of what my non Christian friends will think...

Thanks for reminding me what is important Lelia.

Beth Herring said...

oh, wow. what an amazing young woman. So tragic - but praise God she is with our Lord and she has seen Him face-to-face!

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Susan said...

Lelia,

Thanks so much for sharing Janna's amazing testimony.

You are so right, our lives are just a blink, a vapor and will face Jesus soon.

I want my life to count.

I know what YOUR life protrays, and it's a radical passion for Jesus.

Thanks for making HIM so obvious by all you write.

I've missed you. You are so dear to my heart♥

Wanda said...

Very moving post Lelia. Thanks for sharing Janna's story.

Leaon Mary said...

Lelia,
I know I was meant to read this here tonight.
Thank you for sharing Janna with us. The Lord used you both tonight to stir my heart.
holykisses xoxo
Lea

Melanie said...

I'm linking this to my FB page.

Pat Layton said...

Oh my. What a powerful story. God surely has our days numbered and planned before one of them comes to be.
Ps 139
How important for us to treasure them!
Blessings and a joy filled year,
Pat

Unknown said...

What a touching story, I am so glad that I found your blog, I do believe that the Lord guided me here for some reason. Its hard to imagine having your whole life ahead of you after getting married, that is how the world would see it, when we see the world through God's eyes we live each day to the fullest, because we know we are not promised tomorrow. Living a life with no regrets, surrendering ALL of ones life to God we are able to come to terms with His plans, hard as they might be sometimes. What a great God we have that He will get us through this world until He comes for us. Thanks again for sharing this story I feel like I know Janna not ever meeting her, through this post. In His Love, Sonya