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Lessons learned from Jessica Joy Rees

January 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Last night I had the opportunity to celebrate the life of Jessica Joy Rees with 4000+ people at her memorial service. It was amazing to see the outpouring of support from our church family, the community, her swim team, and countless others that she has affected through her life. Though I never had a chance to meet Jessie, she was an inspiration to many through her NEGU Foundation.

I’m still trying to process everything that this 12-year-old girl has taught us, but here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

  • Even when faced with a huge obstacle, don’t stop working for God. Over the past 10 months of her battle with inoperable brain cancer, Jessie has spread joy to pediatric cancer patients all across the country. She filled jars with objects of “joy” to give to these patients, in hopes that they would spread the joy that was so abundant in her.
  • Be joyful, always. Jessie had an advantage with this one because her middle name is Joy, but she never had a bad attitude. Her dad Erik told everyone last night that she never complained about her condition, and she never asked “Why me?”
  • Amazing ministry isn’t limited to older people. Jessie only lived to be 12 years old, but she impacted more lives than most people will in an entire lifetime. Between her JoyJars, the NEGU Foundation and her infectious, joyful smile, she used what she had to improve the world around her. She saw a problem and did what she could to address it.
  • Never Ever Give Up. This is probably the most important lesson of all. It’s the phrase that Jessie will be known for well beyond today. It reminds us that no matter how tough life seems, we need to trust God and Never Ever Give Up.
Filed Under: Encouragement, Spriritual Life Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Never Ever Give Up

January 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment

 We had an angel walking on earth with us. Yesterday she left here to go to be with Jesus. If you didn’t know Jessica Joy Rees, or Jessie, let me introduce you. Jessie was 12 years old and ten months ago she was diagnosed with two inoperable brain tumors. Jessica spent those ten months bringing joy to other kids with cancer. She took a bad situation and let God use her for good and for His purposes. She and her dad started the “Never Ever Give Up” or NEGU Foundation. She created “Joy Jars”.  Jars filled with toys and other items for kids to play with and find comfort in during hospital stays and during the scary times of chemo therapy. She was featured on TV news shows, and talk shows and numerous newspaper articles. Click here and you can find more information about Jessie and the NEGU Foundation.

Jessie’s dad Erik is a friend and one of the pastors at Saddleback Church and knowing Erik I’m sure he and his family will keep the NEGU Foundation going and I hope it just continues to grow and spread joy and God’s love to terminally ill kids.

Jessie’s phrase, “Never Ever Give Up” applies to student ministry as well. Think of that one student that you just can’t seem to get through to, the one that you know needs to make a significant change in his or her life and you just can’t reach them. Well, follow Jessie’s lead and NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Use every opportunity you can find to reach that student, let God use you in ways you never even imagined!

Jessie taught me a lesson we can all use, even when you get discouraged, even when it seems things are caving in on you, even when your student ministry is not going the way you would like, NEVER EVER GIVE UP.

When you pray tonight, please say an extra prayer for the Rees family.

 

Filed Under: Encouragement, Youth Ministry Tagged With: , ,