The holiday season is here!
Since Tyler died on December 21, 2006 I have carried the Christmas letter (and picture) that we sent out just days after his death in my Bible. I hadn't re-read it. I hadn't opened it. Just had it there in my Bible. Today, I really wanted to read it for some reason. As I read, I was reminded of how faithful my parents were (and still are). In the letter, you can feel their great great sorrow at the loss of their son. But you also read of a great faith in God that remains unchanged. Even in a time of a loss so great that we couldn't eat or sleep and we could hardly even breath, Papa and Mama led and pointed us back to God and the grace of Jesus Christ. At the time, I dealt with anger towards God and even being a little upset and appalled that my parents would continue to thank God and speak of his love for us at such a time. But now, I am so thankful for their deep faith and hope. And so thankful for their willingness to be sad and to mourn. And I am so thankful that we were all able to cry and cry and express our great pain at this loss. But I am also thankful that they trusted God and loved God in the midst of the horrific sorrow. And I am so thankful for Tyler's faith in God.
Edited: So after I posted the above, I went to read and have some time with the Lord. I picked up in Romans where I had previously left off and this is what I read:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose....He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things. Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered'. No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither heights nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." --Romans 8:28-39
Coincidence? I think not.
I was so needing to hear this. I was needing to be reminded of God's perfect care over me. Of his great and perfect love for me in his greatness and goodness and sovereignty.
In case you want to re-read the letter from that year (or you've never read it), here is a copy of it. It is just a picture of the letter take with my iPhone...so please excuse the poor quality.
Edited: So after I posted the above, I went to read and have some time with the Lord. I picked up in Romans where I had previously left off and this is what I read:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose....He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things. Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered'. No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither heights nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." --Romans 8:28-39
Coincidence? I think not.
I was so needing to hear this. I was needing to be reminded of God's perfect care over me. Of his great and perfect love for me in his greatness and goodness and sovereignty.
In case you want to re-read the letter from that year (or you've never read it), here is a copy of it. It is just a picture of the letter take with my iPhone...so please excuse the poor quality.
