God's love never quits

We've been keeping our cousins, Dan & Karla Adams, close to our hearts this month. Their daughter, Laura, went into the arms of Jesus on June 1, 2005, when she was just 22 years old.  Laura had a beautiful heart.  She was going to school to be a teacher.  Working with children was her greatest joy, and her family said that she went Home to help care for God's children.  It brings me to tears just hearing those words...."to help care for God's children", for Carter is one of those children.  We know that heaven is the most beautiful place we will ever be - and we long to be there.  We also know how wonderful it will be.....but, each day that comes as a bereaved parent is not an easy one.  Laura went to Heaven nine years ago.  It doesn't matter how many years have passed, time does not take away the agony and suffering, the sense of loss and aloneness. It it a difficult journey of total submission to the Lord's plans and trusting in His ways.  There is no getting over, getting around, or getting by the loss of your child. Our lives are changed forever and the part of what went into making our lives "normal", is not normal anymore. Time doesn't heal, but God comforts and refreshes us over time when we let Him. All we can do is trust God to get us through - even if we can't see the other side of our grief.

We took Dan & Karla one of Carter's little plants.  Together, we prayed for them.... prayed that Carter's plant would bless and comfort their lives, and would remind them of their sweet daughter who is in God's hands, and that we do not face our pain alone.  We also prayed that Carter's plant would grow and become beautiful for them.

Thinking about Laura and the pain that Dan & Karla suffered, brought me to tears on the drive over.  My mind will often travel to doubt and fear --- and trying to figure out why our children had to die.  Of course, this is not how God wants us to be thinking, but it is reality when "death" has robbed us of someone we love so deeply.  So, I fought back tears and pulled myself together to take in Carter's plant.  I felt broken and heavy as we were leaving.  As I was pulling out of their driveway and just starting to leave, a beautiful Oriole slowly and gracefully flew right over the front of my car.  It was so beautiful just to watch it fly over us.  I felt like, just for a second, life went into slow motion.  My tears turned into laughter and I had an overwhelming sense of comfort and love from the Lord.  I felt Carter watching over us, and we praised the Lord for his amazing ways of showing us.  I will never forget this incredible feeling of God's presence right then and there in the midst of pain.

"God remembered us when we were down, His love never quits.....Takes care of everyone in time of need.  His love never quits."  Psalm 136:23, 25 THE MESSAGE