The hospital called: my cousin was in critical condition and they needed a family member present to speak with the doctors concerning her condition.

I got there as fast as I could. The next eight hours were long and tense. Sadly, my sweet cousin never regained consciousness. But she passed away peacefully and not alone.

The nurses that cared for her throughout the day kept asking me if I was okay and if I needed anything. “No, I’m fine,” I always replied.

When the nurse came in to confirm Karen had passed, she said, “I’m not going to ask you if you are okay. But I am going to ask you if you know how you’ve handled the day like you have.”

My reply: “It’s all in God’s hands and in God’s timing. I know that no matter what, He has everything under control, so I just go with it.”

“Wow,” the nurse said. “I’ve never really heard it put quite like that. That’s by far the best definition of a Christian I’ve ever heard.”

I’m far from perfect, mind you, but I always do my best to be like Daniel and his friends. I want to stand up in this world for Jesus, for I know that — no matter what — He will never forsake me.