[ Two days ago I promised to blog about the cousin who was killed in a car crash, the second childhood incident that taught me about prayer’s importance. One day late, here it is. ]
Growing up, we had five cousins living in distant California. The oldest, Karen, was a bit older than the rest of us, and we all looked up to her. She was full of personality with many friends, and when she was 17, one of them invited her to be a bridesmaid in her wedding.
That weekend Karen happily climbed into the groomsman’s blue Corvette, and with the top down, they began their two hour drive to the rehearsal. The bride and groom followed in their own sports car. While rounding a curve, a car driven by a drunk driver on a spree with three buddies crossed the centerline and slammed head-on into the Corvette.
Karen and her driver were both killed, the bride and groom critically injured. The drunk driver and two of his passengers died, too, and the wedding never took place.
The night our family got the phone call with this shocking news, I watched my parents, in the midst of their confusion and sorrow, turn to God in prayer. After flying to California the next day, I observed one scene after another that didn’t line up with my 12 year old world view. Watching my mom and aunt weep freely was bad enough, but I’d never seen a man cry. The low point came during the funeral when I looked down the church pew and saw my dad’s profile. Although he was facing forward not making a sound, tears were running down his face, and life seemed to fall apart.
Karen’s parents prayed countless prayers during those difficult days as they asked God to use her life and also her death for his purposes. I noticed that communication with God seemed to anchor unsteady adults.
When Karen’s senior English teacher gave her parents the last school assignment she’d turned in, my aunt and uncle were able to read her candid “Philosophy of Life.” In no-nonsense words, she detailed her love for Christ, quoting Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ, to die is gain.” They were comforted to see, in her handwriting, these words: “I know that after death I will go to be with Him forever.”
That school assignment eventually became the centerpiece of a pamphlet entitled “Teenage Triumph” and was printed in 14 languages, distributed on every continent. Countless young people have come to Christ because of her testimony during the 51 years since her death. Eventually her story was included in a book entitled MORE THAN CONQUERORS along with celebrities like Chuck Colson, Corrie Ten Boom, C. S. Lewis and Billy Graham.
When Karen’s parents were in their eighties, a film company making a video about answered prayer asked if they’d be willing to share their daughter’s story again, as one of five examples on the hour-long documentary. Although the interview brought back some of their pain, joy over the wide-ranging impact of Karen’s life led them to say yes.
My uncle reiterated on tape how they’d dedicated Karen to the Lord when she was born, and so she’d really belonged to him all along. He said, “Her life has counted. Her death has counted. And her influence was greater after she died than before.”
I began to see that God hadn’t “killed Karen” in a random act of cruelty but had let it happen for specific, eternal purposes. And remembering that her parents had prayed for her life to be used by him, I began to glimpse the vast scope of prayer.
God takes us at our word. He hears every utterance and has the power to affect dramatic change. I’ve found that watching him work is one of life’s peak thrills. To me, forfeiting a chance to pray about something is to throw away an opportunity unequaled by any other.
“I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. Satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones.” (Palm 17:6,7,14b)
As you know, Karen was my best friend and her death the key turning point in my life. Feeling that with her gone my life was over anyway I freely gave myself to the Lord for anything He had in mind. I can’t even imagine the direction my life would have taken if she hadn’t been so dramatically removed when she was. So, though at the time I constantly asked why, it wasn’t long before I knew at least one of the answers to that question. How I thank the Lord for allowing me to know Karen and share her life and for taking her and redirecting my life.
I still miss my big sister, but the memories and photos we have give me great joy as I thank God for Karen, for her impact on my life and on the lives of others for eternity. It will be so good to see her again one day. Thanks for sharing her story so beautifully!
My mom Cathleen, named me Karen, six years after Karen’s death. I have lived my whole life with that wonderful heritage given to me by my name which I always felt made me a part of the wonderful Johnson family. They are all such a blessing in my life and in the life of my family. We have a son named Aaron,after Aaron Ryan and our youngest daughter is named Maggie Joyce after Aunt Joyce. I have always felt so previledged to be named after Karen and I look forward to meeting her someday in heaven. Now I have gotten to be apart of your family through your blog and pray for you all during this hard time. I also was so amazed to hear from you Margaret when you said that you had been praying for my husband when he was sick and almost died. Thank you so much. It is amazing to hear as the years go by all the people who were praying for my husband during that time. I’m sure you are seeing that also, and probably we won’t even know until heaven all those who have prayed. Wow, what a priviledge we have being able to pray for others and being used as God’s instruments. Thank you for sharing so beautifully and allowing the Lord to minister to others through your gift of writing.
With prayers for you,
Karen
Wounderful story, I’ve never heard this story about Karen’s accident and so on. I’ve only read the assiagenment she wrote and the paper they sent to us back here in Sweden. I don’t think we have a translation. And I also rememeber the frame in the Peterson’s Bethany house!
I think this story have had an impact on everyone who have read it. When I first visited uncle Edward and aunt Joyce 1982 I got the story, not so detailed like this one and I read the “Teenage Triumph”. Reading about it this morning made me think that they’re probably all together now enjoying eternal life.
Dear Annonymous,
As you read this story, have you thought about what would happen to you if you were in Karen’s place? You can tell by her homework assignment that she was secure in knowing what would happen to her, she was at Peace knowing Jesus as her savior.
Life will not be without pain but it does not have to be without Peace.
We are praying for you.
You know – from our earthly perspective, we look at Karen’s life as one cut short. However, from God’s perspective, those who belong to Him are never dead – our lives are not cut short, they just continue on in heaven with Him and all the rest of the saints. God wastes nothing – and it is just like Him to use the words of a teenager to reach more people than might have been reached if Karen had lived a normal life.
Great post today. I can’t be reminded enough to see things with an eternal perspective. Love you mom.
The Word says that God numbers our days. So we can trust, even if we don’t agree at the time, that He is in control and for those who belong to Him, He will be honored and glorified in our life and death.
Wow. I never knew there was a book or documentary about it! That’s incredible!
I also can’t wait to meet her. 🙂
I love what you wrote about God not acting randomly, but having specific eternal purposes with every detail of our life. Only God is wise, loving, and powerful enough to work it all out. All praise belongs to Him!
Jer 29:11 keeps resounding loudly. His plans not ours, His plans are good. We have to trust that He is in control even though lives can be peppered with grief and disappointment. We are here to Glorify God. Karen understood this. Her testimony is still being used for God’s Glory. What a legacy.
Hi Margaret,
One of the things Pastor James said on Sunday in regard to Revelation 12:11 (which speaks of overcomers, who did so because of the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and that they did not love their life even to death)- was that the enemy cannot get to the person who truly lives out “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Not just for the person who dies, but for the grief filled left behind.
There is no grace for the “what if’s” that immediately come to my own mind when I read of such tragic loss. God’s grace, I know, comes in the measure that we need when we need it. That English paper certainly was one of the many ways grace came to them.
Thank you for such a faith building account of people who kept after God in the midst of such tragedy.
Love,
Terry
Hi Margaret,
I just got home from church where there is a visitation for Grace Wolgemuth’s family (Ruth Guillaume’s mom). She was 94, I think. No matter what our age our lives touch others even when we are unaware. Every moment counts for Jesus. May we all strive to live with this in mind.
As I read the comments from my mom, Cathleen and sister Karen they both reiterate my own feelings of gratefulness for the Johnson family. Like Karen I share
a heritage in names, mine is Ellen Joyce and am so honored to bear that name. I’ve always felt Aunt Joyce was a spiritual Grandmother to us. Two of my four sons also share in this heritage #3 Sean Ryan and #4 Aidan Edward. I am so grateful for the Johnson family and the wonderful way they have made us a part of their family.
Margaret your blog is such a blessing I have read it every day since Nate was diagnosed. Your blog is the first thing I open in the morning to read while I drink my coffee. Thank you so much for being faithful to live Heb.3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Thank you so much for your faithful encouragement of others.
Love and prayers,
Ellen
What a wonderful story and testimony of tragedy turned triumphant. You have a great heritage Margaret and you are faithfully passing it on to your family and friends. Thank you! We have been out of town so I am “catching” up. I look forward to seeing you this month!