Our Hope is in the Lord
Last week was rough. It was a week that caused us all to reevaluate how we live our lives. My 23-year-old nephew was in a small plane crash, along with a good family friend (age 22) and two other young girls. They all perished.
The shock and denial that it had actually happened reverberated throughout our minds for days. How could this be? These were boys that lived life to its fullest. Good kids – all 4 of them who loved the Lord and served Him each day.
It is painful. It hurts us but the grief that the parents feel is so much more than anything those of us who haven’t lost a child can imagine. Time is a healer but that doesn’t help when you’re in the middle of it all. God has been their comfort and the strength of each of the parents has been incredibly amazing but they still grieve. My heart hurts for them.
Two of the memorial services have been held and this Saturday the other two will be taking place. At one of the memorial services, the sister of the pilot was describing the predominant trait that each one of the young men and women had. Friendly, Servant’s heart, Gentle and Joyful.
That caused me to think about how each of us have a special gift, talent, calling or whatever you may want to call it – that the Lord wants to display through us. The Bible talks about how we are a many membered body. We cannot all be a foot because then how would the body function? Every part of our body is important and we really need it all.
For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? –I Corinthians 12:14-17
You may not be a bubbly type personality but you may be steadfast and someone who can be counted on when something needs to be done. Maybe you’re not the one to plan outings but yet you have a listening ear for those who are hurting. God calls us all to something different. He’s a God of variety. Nature testifies of that – the array of animal life, plant life and diverse landscapes that God formed is stunning and so diversified.
We need to be who God created us to be and not try to force ourselves into a mold that was never intended for us.
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. –I Corinthians 12:18
You are what you are by the grace of God. And just be yourself. God will love you better, and the people will love you better too, if you’ll just be yourself. Be honest and sincere in what you do, and God will bless your efforts. —W.M. Branham
The two memorial services both challenged us to be better people and Christians. Levi’s friends all spoke repeatedly of how he was friendly to everyone… even those who were several years younger and those who were not popular. He reached out to everyone.
At Jonathan’s memorial we heard over and over how he was helpful to people and could be counted on to work if it was needed. I can testify to this. He was in my home many times and always was doing something whether changing a part on a car, changing the garbage or cleaning up after an event here at our house. He never ran from work.
I’m posting the links below mainly for myself, a place where I know they won’t get lost. 🙂
Some articles and news clips about my nephew, Levi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4AgMosdczI&feature=share
A few articles on Johanna (age 18)
Jonathan (age 22)
The memorial service for Levi.
The memorial service for Jonathan (age 22) our family friend.
They will be greatly missed but we will meet again. Our hope is in the Lord.
2 Comments
Mary
So well said, I’m so glad we have a hope and assurance but it breaks my heart to imagine what these parents are feeling. I thought it was neat too how she pointed out each ones traits. It is so true that each one has a gift and I have told people that many times, and that is what makes the body of Christ and families work. Still thinking and praying for each one in the days ahead. I know after losing Darren’s dad how a death affects each one. Praying for you all!
Elisabeth
Thank you, Mary for your prayers. It’s a precious thing to have so many praying for the family, especially the parents.