It is difficult to pick up blogging "where we left off" due to the recent tragedy in our family. I want to share with you some thoughts that have kept coming to mind throughout the past week and a half.
When we were preparing for the girls' dedication at church last May, the Leader of the class shared with us how children are such a precious and amazing gift from God. She encouraged us to look at our children as being on loan to us from God and to treasure every moment we have with them because we don't know when our time together may end. When I learned the news about my nephew Brady's death, I was reminded of this conversation from 8 or 9 months ago. In the class, we read the lyrics to a Matt Redman song called "Blessed Be Your Name." The song is based on a verse in Job 1:21, which says "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
"Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed Be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name"
This song has been running through my head a lot lately. Especially, the last couple of lines. It is not easy to make the choice to say even though you take away God, Blessed Be Your Name! It is difficult for me to understand how the Lord determines who to give and for how long. I know it is not up to me and I am not entitled to that information. I just have a difficult time trying to wrap my mind around a purpose for Brady's life ending so very early and the extreme loss Lynnette and Craig feel. But I do know there is a purpose from God and that He loves us and does not cause us pain for nothing. I am also comforted that Brady is in a wonderful place.
Brady has an older sibling also with him in Heaven. This baby went to be with the Lord 6 weeks into my sister's pregnancy in 2007, so we were unable to learn the baby's gender. But I trust that Brady and his older sister or brother are playing together and someday I will get to meet them both. I have A LOT of catching up to do when I do see them. I haven't been able to do the things I want to do with them like hugging and giving kisses, tickling, reading books, babysitting, sleepovers, family vacationing together, shopping together, attending their sporting events and concerts, sledding, ice skating, watching movies together, spoiling them like crazy, and so many more of the wonderful privileges of being an aunt.
I like to think that Brady heard lots of joy and laughter at our house on Christmas Eve. He was probably getting excited hearing his cousins playing together and thinking he better get there soon to help Bryce fend off all those girls! It was a special night for me as I look at it as my only Christmas with my nephew Brady here on this earth. I believe there will be many more Christmas celebrations in heaven we will have together.
Here's a glimpse into our holiday festivities:
The Polar Express (by my aunt and uncle's house)
Uncle Craig and Samantha
Cousin Jessica & Keegan
Grandma Sue & Maggie
Keegan, Cousin Julia, Maggie & Cousin Chloe
Our 3 Reindeer
Cousin Hogan playing with the girls
Daddy & Maggie
Keegan very serious about opening a present
Maggie
The Girls in Grandpa Gordy's chair
Samantha & Grandma Joyce
Aunt Kristy, Maggie, & Cousin Bryce
Chloe got a pink guitar.
What a Rockstar!
Maggie is trying to figure out how to take Bryce's gift.
Keegan
Maggie
Samantha
Maggie
Samanta, Keegan, & Maggie with Great Grandma Jourden
