Last Updated on April 7, 2024
On July 24, 2018, this world’s loss became Heaven’s gain as Wynter Pitts, a dear sister in Christ who served on MomLife Today for many years, entered the presence of Jesus. My first reaction was shock and disbelief. Wynter? She was so young, so beautiful, in the prime of her life. She was a devoted wife and mother to four beautiful girls. A friend to so, so many. And so, so young. Not only that, but Wynter had an amazing ministry to moms and daughters, For Girls Like You. Why her? Why now?
Even as I write this I have the urge to comb through all her postings (linked above) just to “hear” her heart some more. Her words, beautiful and heartfelt and full of wisdom, have become even more precious.
I first met Wynter in person at one of our Mom Camp events. She and her daughters had come, in part, because the camp would be hosting an advanced screening of her daughter’s movie THE WAR ROOM. My first impression of Wynter was of a grounded person. More than that, she had an inner peace to her—a heart devoted to Jesus and grounded in faith to him. She knew who she was and whose she was. She was soft spoken and kind and treated me as though we had always been friends. We talked about our kids, our lives, and even made plans to get our kids together in the summer to swim.
I so regret not making that happen.
As I interacted with Wynter and watched her over that weekend, I came to admire her more and more. She spent most of her time with her sweet daughters. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to socialize, but I think her heart wanted to soak up time with the people most precious to her. She spent her time investing in the precious lives God had entrusted to her. Several times I caught a glimpse of her in the distance, in a little group with her girls, heading off to their next adventure. She lived what she taught. She loved God, loved her husband, loved her children, loved her extended family, and loved others. And she cherished motherhood. Her children were a gift. In her words:
“During the beginning of my journey into motherhood, I looked at my situation and all I could see was dirty diapers, growing piles of laundry and chicken fingers. I was living a life that I had only wanted in theory. The details of my reality did not match my dream, and certainly did not resemble a ‘gift.’ I cannot recall an exact moment, but thankfully something changed! Not my situation but my perspective. With each new baby girl, the piles of laundry only grew larger, the dirty diapers got messier and the chicken fingers, well they made their way onto the table more frequently. However, at the same time my smile was growing bigger and laughter began to make itself at home! As we spend some time together, I challenge you to join me in adjusting our perspectives. Let’s begin reaping the benefits of all God created our journey to be!”
Over the next few years most of our “interaction” came through posts on social media, but even from that distance, I saw a woman who loved Jesus, loved her family, and loved others. She taught many of us so much about our priorities and about love and most of all, about Jesus.
As for my earlier questions, we all have them in times like these. I don’t have all the answers or pretend that I do. What I do know is:
- This world is not our home. We will all leave this world for the next one, and we do not know when God will choose to call us home.
- In this world we do face trouble, but Jesus gives us peace. Jesus is the source of perfect peace.
- God’s ways are higher than our ways, his thoughts higher than our thoughts. Many of our questions will not be answered on this side of eternity. I’m not sure if they will be answered in Heaven or if our faith will be made complete to the point where we will just know and understand that God is sovereign and his ways are perfect.
- Our lives are fleeting. We should make each moment and each MOMent count. In the words of Wynter’s husband Jonathan:
“If Wynter’s life and sudden passing teaches you anything, learn to live every day in light of that fact. God is a good father. He did not stop loving Wynter when she left this earth. His love only got more real to her. I find solace in that fact.”
Jonathan continues, “Wynter lived a fuller life than most people live in double her 38 years. Well done, babe. Well done.”
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I want to leave you with what her daughter said on the night of Wynter’s passing into the presence of Heaven:
“On July 24, 2018 Jesus took my precious mommy ( @forgirlslikeyou ) off this earth,” she said. “It happened within a couple hours and was so sudden. My heart hurts like never before. Comfort seems far. Anxiety is extremely present. It still feels like a dream that I will wake up from soon. I will remember those thirty minutes for the rest of my life. And I will remember the pain I felt as I found out. But the nurse repeated this phrase to me as I walked down that hospital hallway. And for some reason I couldn’t forget them. As they told me my mom had passed, these words continued and still continue to pound in my head. “I’m gonna tell you something I need you never to forget ok? You serve a big God. A big God. Don’t you ever forget that.”
She continues, “I serve a big God. Obstacles will be thrown at me but my God is still there. He knows what He’s doing and He’s got a plan. I say this not by sheer will but through faith. In the moment, his plan may seem outrageous and I may not understand. I continue to ask myself why me? Why did He choose my family? But I’m reminded He’s in control. So even as I weep and grieve, I can smile with joy because I’ll see her again. Even now she’s been throwing little winks at me. Please be praying for my family as my three younger sisters and I have lost our mommy and my dad has lost his best friend.”
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Those words… The heart of a beautiful mom reflected in the heart of her beautiful daughter, both of them reflecting the love of Jesus.
Being a mom is a gift. Each day is a gift. Seeing our love for Jesus reflected in the faces of the ones we love … what an amazing gift! Cherish each day; cherish each MOMent.
We serve a big God. A big God. And a good God. He is a good, good father, despite the pain and trials on this earth. Wynter’s passing from this earth is truly sad, and she will definitely be missed by so many, but we can all look forward to seeing her again.
Thank you, Wynter, for the legacy you have left behind. Thank you for your kindness, thank you for your love, and thank you for being the kind of mom I aspire to be. Thank you for being God’s “yes girl” who was willing to say yes to whatever he called you to do. A life well lived. A beautiful legacy left behind. A life now lived in fullness in Heaven. And I’m certain as you entered the Father’s presence you heard these words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
A GoFundMe account has also been set up to help her husband and daughters with any needed financial assistance.
Jennifer Dyer has an M.S. in Communications Disorders, which served her well in her professional career as a speech-language pathologist. Never did she imagine that her education and career were God’s way of preparing her to be a mom to her own daughter with autism. Today, she enjoys reaching out to other families who face similar diagnoses. As a cancer survivor, carpet-cleaning veteran, and originator of the “Messy House Ministry,” Jennifer feels blessed to share joy, peace, and humor with others facing life’s challenges. She is mom to two beautiful daughters and is thankful to be raising them, serving other families with unique needs, and using her gift of writing and speaking to minister to others. Jennifer is also the author of a youth fiction book series and is trusting God with His timing on publication. Jennifer has been a mom for 11 years. She and Brandon have been married for 13 years.