Sofie Maye Roberts

Lessons Learned from my Little Sister in Christ

"Even a child makes herself known by her acts, by whether her conduct is pure and upright." (Prov. 20:11)

“…calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:2-4)

“…a little child shall lead them.”
(Isaiah 11:6)

If there was ever a child to be set before us as an example, if there was ever a child whom we should seek to become like, if there was ever a little one to to lead us, it was my little sister in Christ, Sofie Maye Roberts.

One year ago, in the wee hours of the morning, Sofie entered heaven with a smile on her face.

She went before me, and the life she lived still speaks.

Today, on the first anniversary of her death, I want to honour her.

When I think of Sof, the first thing that comes to mind is her faith and trust in Jesus Christ. I remember her joy at being baptized, how she bee-lined it up to the front of the church with an unsteady gait, so enthusiastic to profess her faith in her Lord. I remember her huge smile as I chatted with her and Stella afterwards, and Sofie emphatically nodding when we talked about the fact that following Jesus was worth the discomfort of the water that had flooded their noses when they went under the water. I remember Sofie diligently taking notes and as she listened to sermons. She would meditate on the truth of the Word, saying to her parents, “That was an amazing sermon. It keeps going around in my head.” In one sermon about the new creation, which listed the many things there will be no more of (no more tears, no sickness, no sadness), Sofie leaned over and whispered to her mom, “No more brain tumours, Mommy.” She believed the promises of Scripture, held fast to God’s Word, and trusted in the sovereignty of her God. She once calmly responded to her Daddy’s nighttime, “See you in the morning!” with the reminder that we don’t know that we’ll see each other in the morning; that’s up to God. Sofie was a logical, matter-of-fact missy who told it like it was. A straight shooter. I loved that about her.

In all she faced, Sofie never complained. She had an optimistic outlook, expressing gratitude and genuine delight in the blessings of life. Whether swimming in her pool, playing capture-the-flag in Gym, or presenting a History Day speech, Sof was happy and smiling. She was a shining light in the midst of a world that promotes complaining, the epitome of Philippians 2:14-15:

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…”

The defining characteristic of Sofie’s life was not her sickness and her suffering; it was her courageous, patient, enduring faith. And that faith looked with confidence to the Source of these qualities, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who not only empowered her, but will empower us. He is the reason she was able to say with Paul, ‘it is better to be with Christ’, and the reason she also wanted to finish the work He had for her here. He is the reason she could persevere through the great pain of cancer, and look beyond the suffering to the renewal of all things. In a world full of much to fear, she was brave. In this she proved herself a daughter of Sarah (1 Peter 3:6), and an example for us all.

I have cried many tears this past year over the fact that I didn’t get to be Sofie’s Grade 5 teacher. She was supposed to be in my class starting in September 2024. Yet, as I have reflected on her life, I thank God that Sofie was MY teacher. And I look forward to the Day when I will see her again.