#LoveLikeSheree as we remember and honor her

Psalm 116:15  NIV

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.

This past Friday was one of those days you did not expect.  A message came across my phone early that morning asking me to call a friend I had not talked to in some time.  The next few minutes on the phone were surreal.

A dear friend, Sheree Poe, had passed from this life and in to heaven.  This could not be.  But the next couple of hours led to more and more conversations, more and more prayers.

Sheree is married to the incredible Jackie Poe, married for 38 years.  They are co-pastors of The Church at Mercy Crossing that has been one of our partners for several years through our back2school outreach and a few other projects.  Her fingerprints are all over this ministry, and her courage has inspired me and countless others.

At 56 years old this is way too young to die and to face such a massive heart attack.  But Sheree’s death reminds all of us that we do not know when our last minute on earth will be.  This sweet lady, servant of God lived her life on the edge so that Jesus and His love would warm as many people as possible.

Testimony after testimony from her church family, from friends and people around the world has been shared this week about how this lady made their life better.  Tim Hill at her funeral said, “We are here not because Sheree Poe died but because Sheree lived.”  How awesome and true is that?  People have talked about how Sheree made them feel special and loved by God.  Her smile and her encouragement were infectious.  We have been asked to ‘love like Sheree’, and I have seen this all over the place from church signs, to social media and in conversations.

#LoveLikeSheree

We must take the example of giants like Pastor Sheree.  Her test messages, emails and phone calls over the past 5 or so years have meant much to me.  She would convey information that helped our project be stronger, and she would always lace the message with blessings.  I remember many, many of those.

It was about 15 years ago that I first met Sheree and Jackie Poe.  Through these years I hope that I have been a blessed just a fraction as much as the Poes have been to me and the ministry that we are part of.  I am grateful for Sheree’s life and will miss her much.

Pray for Pastor Jackie.  Pray for the Mercy Crossing church family.  Pray for those she impacted who are having a tough time.  Sheree’s legacy lives far past her last day on earth.

Her husband Jackie shared the story of one thing they learned on a mission trip several years ago.  He said the people who not say ‘good bye’.  They would say ‘until’.  It conveyed the fact that we will see each other again.  If we don’t see each other again on earth, we will meet again in heaven.  Claim that promise that Pastor Jackie encouraged us to share.

#UNTIL

Finally, as I have spent some time this week with the Mercy Crossing ministry staff and church family, I’ve been reminded how blessed we are with such a great God and so many awesome people.  We have family and friends who shine bright for our God. 

Sheree was a bright light for her Savior and Lord.  May we continue to shine this light and be an encourager as she was to us!

Acts 11:23  NLT

When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.