A totally sweet little girl’s spirit left her body on March 15, 2020, five (5) days before she turned three (3). Cf. James 2:26. This sweet little girl was loved by so many, including this writer, who loved to kiss her little head, arm, or a hand each time she was able to be present for the church services. She will be missed by her immediate family, and by the family of believers at the Chapman Church of Christ.
Sadie Louise Fitzgerald, though so young and with a number of issues, left her small body and this world, but she will not be forgotten by those she left behind. There are, and will be, many reminders of her as time passes.
Sadie reminds each one who knew her that she, like Jesus, had not committed sin. If so, what sin did she commit? Romans 3 shows that Sadie was not born a sinner. People are sinners because of their actions. “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10). The Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2) had Paul to immediately pen these words, telling them why they were sinners, “There is none that seeketh after God.” (Verse 11). Verse 12 says, “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable, there is none that doeth good, no not one.” Read verses 13-18 to see that their actions made them sinners, and not their births. Babies do not inherit sin! Verse 23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” People are not born sinners, but become sinners when they as accountable people commit sin, become transgressors (1 John 3:4), become unrighteousness. (1 John 5:17). Sadie had not transgressed any of God’s laws, and she was certainly not unrighteous. Sadie was always in the arms of someone who loved her while upon this earth. Now, as the song says, she is “safe in the arms of Jesus.” She, like Jesus, “did no sin, neither was guile found in his (her, JP) mouth.” (1 Peter 2:22). Is it any wonder that Jesus “called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1-6). Cf. also. Ezekiel 18:2-4, 20.
On Sunday, March 15, 2020, Sadie died and “was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom:….” (Luke 16:22). Some unrighteous people suffering in the torments of the Hadean world may very well be pleading to no avail with Abraham to send Sadie with a drop of water to cool their tongues. (Luke 16:23-26). They may also be begging for Sadie to have influence on their relatives, friends, and others. (Luke 16:27, 28). As Abraham told the tormented rich man, God has a written law, and all who would be saved must hear and obey it. (Luke 16:29-31). Read James 1:21-25; Hebrews 5:8, 9; Romans 10:17; Acts 17:30, 31; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:20, 21; Galatians 3:26, 27. The little girl who had a number of issues in this life is now completely whole, perfect, awaiting and hoping that all who will one day leave bodies to enjoy what she now experiences. She in hoping that the church God purposed before the world began (Ephesians 3:10, 11), promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:1ff), prophesied (Isaiah 2:2-4; Daniel 2), prepared (Matthew thru John), perfected or set up (Acts 2), and will one day deliver up (1 Corinthians 15:24), will include you.
God blessed all who knew and loved Sadie for just short of three (3) years. The lives of all who knew sweet Sadie will never be the same. While we may never understand why she had some of the problems she did, and why her life was cut short of our desires, wishes, and expectations, we can rejoice in the time we did have her. We rejoice, and are “willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). “Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.” (Verse 9). Our blessings did not end with Sadie being carried to Abraham’s bosom. MEMORIES!
All who had the privilege of knowing and enjoying lovely Sadie should have the attitude of a man after God’s own heart, King David. (Acts 13:22). David’s child, a son (2 Samuel 12:15, 23), born of Bathsheba became sick and died. (2 Samuel 12:15, 18). David prayed for the child to live. (Verse 16). However when the child died, “David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.” (2 Samuel 12:20). David then said, “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (Verse 23). Sadie would have each one to memorize this verse and follow it. More importantly, Sadie would have each one to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…And…love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Matthew 22:37-39). She would have all to have a reciprocal love, that is, to “love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19).
Beloved, our bodies are from the dust, and they will return to the dust. (Ecclesiastes 12:20). We live in houses (bodies) made with hands. Two seed (male and female) unite to make one human body in which one (1) spirit resides, the real person. This house will one day dissolve, and the house of the righteous will be replaced by “a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1). It will not be made of flesh and blood, but will be incorruptible, immortal. (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). That is why Christians may rejoice in death. Death has no sting, and the grave has no victory to the victorious. (1 Corinthians 15:55-58). The house we live in while here may vary from young to old. However, “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27). Sometimes a song is sung which asks if we are living right should we die tonight? Is it well with your soul?
Sadie had issues on this side of eternity. However, she is now whole and well in every way. She is vocal, mobile, and perfect in ways you and I cannot imagine. Be extremely happy for this little girl. She enjoys happiness you and I can only dream about while below. Her little body may be still, but the person who lived in it is not. To borrow a line from the Hebrew writer written about Abel, “He (She, JP) being dead yet speaketh.” (Hebrews 11:4). Sadie’s frail body may be in a grave in the Chapman cemetery, but she is very much alive and vigrant in Abraham’s bosom in paradise, awaiting the coming of the saved and the general resurrection. Those who knew Sadie enjoyed her for a little less and three (3) years. However, obedience to God and faithfulness to Him will result in an eternity with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the holy angels, the redeemed of all ages, and Sadie.
It Is Written 