I am deeply saddened today by the news of Whitney Houston’s death yesterday. Her music filled many of the happy and sad memories I have as a young girl growing up. Indeed her voice was often the backdrop to many lonely times filled with insecurities and fears but also to many joyful experiences with my most loved ones. As a young girl I grew up to admire her God-given talent, her elegance and beauty, never knowing that though to the world she had it all, she lacked the one thing without which life becomes a constant struggle, a pool of despair, an impossibility. She lacked inner peace and the ability to not lean in her own understanding, but in the knowledge that despite our frailty and weaknesses, God is able, in the knowledge that though at times we may feel like we do have it all and are self-sufficient, apart from God we can do nothing, without his grace and mercy, we are nothing.
Years ago my husband and I had the privilege of seeing her live in concert in London and she was everything I ever imagined her to be and more, though even then it was apparent that behind the glamour and the success, laid dormant much pain, sadness and self-doubt.
Dear Whitney,
May you finally rest in peace. May the Lord bless you and keep you. You were a shooting star who shone bright and whose journey was brief but memorable nonetheless. You will be missed and remembered.
Here she is performing my favourite song by her.
