If I had but known of you...

I find myself suddenly and rather inexplicably moved by the death of a woman I've never known. If I had known of her nineteen years ago, my life might've turned out differently. I learned just moments ago that Rachel Held Evans died three days ago. I recognize a beautiful soul when I read about one and Rachel definitely fit the bill. She's someone I might've once wanted to be like, but that was never meant to be.

The worst part of all of this, though, is that she died in a country whose healthcare is supposedly the best in the world. Yet she died of an allergic reaction to antibiotics while in the hospital. She had the flu and went into the hospital where she had a bad reaction to the antibiotics given. According to a friend of mine who has far more knowledge of these things than I, you can prevent death from an allergic reaction if you're being properly monitored. As one would expect to be while in the care of doctors and nurses anywhere.

So, why am I including this bit about this Christian woman when I know I've shown no respect for Christians on this blog? Well, because she's the type of Christian that there should be far more of, challenging the authority of the men who have dominated the religion since it's beginning. And because she was a a fierce advocate for the LGBT community.

This is a lovely write up about Rachel's life written up for The Atlantic magazine.

Rachel Held Evans, Hero to Christian Misfits

We can only hope that her followers, enthusiasts and those who modeled their own lives after her don her mantle and bring Christianity into the 21st century and open its doors to all.