Below is an essay written by Brooke Bronkowski, a girl I read about in Crazy Love by Francis Chan.
The essay was written at the age of twelve and is a humbling expression of maturity from from a girl who later passed away in a car accident (at the age of fourteen).
Since I Have My Life Before Me
I’ll live my life to the fullest. I’ll be happy. I’ll brighten up. I will be more joyful than I have ever been. I will be kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ. I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead help others with their troubles.
You see, I’ll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age. Oh, I’ll have moments, good and bad, but I will wipe away the bad and only remember the good. In fact that’s all I remember, just good moments, nothing in between, just living my life to the fullest. I’ll be one of those people who go somewhere with a mission, an awesome plan, a world-changing plan, and nothing will hold me back. I’ll set an example for others, I will pray for direction.
I have my life before me. I will give others the joy I have and God will give me more joy. I will do everything God tells me to do. I will follow the footsteps of God. I will do my best!!!
~Brooke Bronkowski
8 replies on “Since I Have My Life Before Me”
Hi I’m Brooke’s mom, thank you for sharing her poem. She was and is an amazing girl who loved Jesus. God used her poems, she wrote most of them in English class. She. brought Glory to God and showed us unconditional love.
oh wow. thanks so much for commenting. i hadn’t read this post in years. in doing so, this line really resonated with me this time around.
> I will give others the joy I have and God will give me more joy.
it’s such a great reminder. so grateful brooke’s poems and example continue to impact people all around the world.
blessings to you!
My friend lended me a copy of crazy love about 7 months ago and I wasn’t in good place in my walk with Lord at this time and I read about your daughters story and it truly touched me. Something about her persistence and consistent love for Jesus was so inspiring and encouraging. I just wanted to let you know even though she has been heaven for awhile now her life has continued to make a positive and Godly impact on people’s lives, including mine.
Ellen, God led me to read Pastor Chan’s pages in Crazy Love about Brooke last Friday evening on the bus ride to our 7th and 8th-grade church camp. Her story prompted me to ask a number of the 12 and 13-year old boys I mentor during 1-1 conversations how long they expect to live with most saying about 80 – 90 years. Then I asked them the “are you sure,” followed by Brooke’s story.
The impact of her story on these boys was an incredible catalyst in their walk as young men with Jesus. One of them who had not been engaged would now like to help us lead our small group.
Brooke continues to be an amazing young woman, now as one of God’s angels influencing for good and giving out her joy to an extent that most could never imagine. I am sure that untold numbers of people have come to Christ because of her, and I suspect as leaders some of these young men that I mentor will continue to tell her story to the next generation.
Blessings to you and your family.
Can’t stop bawling and I’m a grown 30 year old man….thankyou for giving us such an inspiration Jesus. This girls life can be summed up in just that one poem. What an inspiration….I can only stand in awe. Her parents must be so proud. AMAZING
It really is an inspiring poem. I re-read it thanks to your comment.
This essay will blow you AWAY!!
@Alexis: That it will!