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I would ask you to take a moment to look into his beautiful, beautiful face.
That face is now seeing Jesus' face.
But, oh, the devastation that face's absence is causing here on earth!
In all the busyness and the bustle and the beauty of this season, please don't forget Josh.
Please don't forget the other Joshes who are out there in our communities, who are struggling with unnamed, unspoken pain, pain that seems darker and heavier in this season of light and joy.
There are people from many countries all over the world who read the Leaves. Please, wherever you are ... take a moment to add Josh's family - his Mom and Dad, his elder sister and his two younger siblings - to your Christmas gift list this December. Give them the gift of your prayers and your love and your invisible support throughout the month as they now trudge the weary, anguished path up their own looming mountain.
And remember that there is hope. Underneath Josh's family - underneath each of us who cries out to Jesus - are the everlasting arms.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Just cry out to Jesus
Cry out to Jesus
When you're lonely and it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
i've had to walk away from this post a few times before i sat down to comment.
ReplyDeletei find myself on the brink of a month that should be the happiest season of all and instead find myself lost in waves of grief instead.
i look at josh's sweet and precious face. kept it up on my screen through most of the morning. let the song play and i lifted up his family to Jesus.
you have spoken such love here...love that isn't afraid of the depths of pain. by placing his picture for us all to see, you show that one heartbreaking choice can still, *still* turn us to Jesus, even when. we. don't. understand.
keep speaking words of hope, karyn, in this space you've created. keep pointing us all back to Jesus, for He truly is the only one that can bring comfort in the chaos of pain.
love you so much.
"Nothing is more hopeless than the unexplained death of a loved one. It is has been six years and there is still a void, especially every September when the numbness and despairing feelings of those first days seek to take over one’s thoughts. Thankfulness for him and for his life gives encouragement. Each year the void is replaced with a renewed appreciation of his kindness and thoughtfulness. I am proud to be his brother."
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