That's the Way it is Supposed to Work!

Dear Zachary,

It’s been ten days since your spirit (soul) went to be in the Lord’s presence, and Mommy and Daddy sure grieve the loss of having you here with us. I’m sure it’s wonderful to be in the Lord’s presence, though! I suppose that is the understatement of the day. Since your passing, we have been reflecting on how much joy and hope, and how many blessings God has poured out to many through your life.

Zach, Mommy and Daddy believe this was the purpose of your life; that the joy, hope, and blessings people experienced through your life would point people to God as the ultimate source of joy, hope, satisfaction, and life. Sometimes it takes these earthly trials, hardships, and sufferings to see this as this causes us to turn to God for help. We see how faithful He is, and God in his mysterious and wise providence certainly works things for our good if we follow Him obediently through love. What a hope to remember, Zachary! The good is that we start trusting Him all the more as a source of strength, hope, and security.

Daddy recalls the pain of Good Friday (April 2^nd) 2010 when we received news that there would be significant health challenges in your life. Mommy and Daddy were very tearful, hurting, and anxious, but with hope in God, we did not give up on you. It was God who carried us, putting so many loving people in our lives to help with your care, to care for Mommy and Daddy, and to care for Aaron.

God’s command to love your neighbor as yourself took on many different forms, and this command was followed in many different ways by so many different people.

It’s insightful to remember the specifics and to see God’s blessings through loving hands:

Loving people helped in your care (baths, feedings, medications (oral, injectables, aerosols), skin care, cuddle time, diaper changes, etc.)

Loving people helped Mommy and Daddy (e.g. errands, meals, babysitting)

Loving people helped take care of Aaron (e.g. babysitting, meals, reading books)

Also, you remember all the cards, letters, prayers, and words of encouragement we received, right Zachary and how wonderful are caring and encouraging words on a dark day?!

Daddy concludes that is it most important to trust God, treasure God, hope in God, and live for Him. This is so hard, and Daddy is still learning how to do this. He will work things for our good, but we need to trust Him! We should not despair when we go through life’s trials and hardships, as God will see us through. He is so incredibly faithful. He is the good shepherd.

I think of how tremendously blessed we were to have so many loving people in our lives and still now. People were quick to recognize we needed help and propped us up in so many ways, too numerous to count. Words cannot express how grateful Daddy and Mommy are to experience so much love from so many loving people rushing to our side to help during our days of trial. I guess that is the way God intended it to work, and what a testimony! Mommy and Daddy have learned that we need to be quick to love others in similar ways as people go through their own trials. We aim to give God glory for helping take care of others through love for God has certainly taken care of us!

Love,

Daddy