That's how I was feeling last night was very weepy. Wondering why God had to take her from us and what did we do that she had to go to heaven. I was wanting to hold her close, see her smile, hear her say Daddy and Mommy, let Tanner play with her, and the list goes on. But then I had to stop and remember that God took her for a reason. I sure wish we would knew sometimes why but we just have to trust Him. Then this morning I woke up and felt a little more joy in remembering all the happy times we had and that makes me smile. I have put some pictures of Lindsay by the kitchen sink so that every time I wash dishes I can see her smiling back at me. She is missed so much in our house and we love her and miss her more each and every day.
We got this card today and I want to share it with you.
As you go through this.....
Difficult things can cause us to ask,
"Why did this happen?"
we never need to ask,
"How could He let this happen?"
God may reveal
all His reasons to us,
but He has revealed
His character to us.
His character assures us that
He never makes mistakes,
is never uncaring,
and that He never separates Himself
from our need.
The need you face is great,
but the grace that is yours
in Christ is even greater.
May your heart and your faith
stay fixed upon Him
as you go through this difficulty.
Be assured that He is holding your hand and will NEVER let it go!!
I was so encouraged after reading this card. How fitting this was to get after last night. Thank you Aunt Connie and Uncle Bob Wood for this card!! Thank you Lord for never letting go of our hands!!
20 comments:
Laura you are amazing. Thanks for your post and the picture of you, Jon and Tanner holding Lindsay's hand. I remember the day you took that picture. I know God is holding her in His arms right now, but it still hurts. Thanks for reminding me that He will take you, Jon, Tanner and all of us "through" this together. You are all in my prayers and I love you all very much.
Love,
Mom
Dear Laura,
Thank you for being so open with your grief. You are teaching us all with your honesty and your complete trust in God's plan.
LY
Marilyn
Laura,
Thank you for sharing your feelings with us. You have been in my thoughts-wondering how you are and how you know that God is taking you through this. But we praise God that He is...all the way until that day when you all hold hands again.
Praying for you-still wearing the bracelet and still sharing Lindsay"s story.
Love, hugs & prayers,
Miriam
On Loan would make a good book title for Christian parents, on loan, in your care for the time decided by He who loves most and knows all.
Amen to your mother's words, especially "through".
The day will come when the sweetness of the time you all had with Lindsay will replace the sadness, we love you all so very much. LVS
The card reminded me of a song by Matt Redman "You Never Let Go" This song is one of my favorites :-) Here are the lyrics:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
Chorus:
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
Chorus: (2x’s)
Still praying for you
-Rachel C.
Laura & Jon,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and grief with all us "Lindsay fans" who still check the blog. Your honesty and faith shine through your tears. Also, thanks to Bill for doing such a great job with the blog as well. I'm so glad that you had some joy this morning as you thought of some of the happy times. I think of you all quite often, and wonder how you are doing. May God continue to hold you in His loving arms, and surround you with His presence.
Mary Conway
Laura~
You are an amazing woman!! As your "little" sister, I want you to know how I look up to you! Through this time you have shown me your love for our God and the trust you put in him! How I long to be like you! Thank you for sharing with us what you are feeling! I too think of Lindsay SO many times during the day! Her pictures are around our house. And when I am feeling sad, I come and either watch the slide show, or look at pictures. I cry, but I laugh to. I am sure she is having a blast in heaven. Probably the center of attention. Nan teaching her those silly songs, and maybe Mema is making her some good cookies! I look forward to the day you guys are with her again. What a moment that will be!! I love you!
Dear Laura,
With a lump in my throat I read your post and am typing this to you. As a mom, I cannot comprehend what you must be feeling on a daily basis. My heart aches and prays daily for your strength. God promises that He will never give us more than we can handle, and I firmly believe that. Continue to hold tight to God's promises and His love. Lean on the love and prayers of all those around you. Even though we've never met, this season in your life has brought us together. I'm so grateful for that.
Know that you are covered in love and prayers today, and always.
Love in Christ,
Lisa Sheldon
Whiting Bible Church
Dear Laura & Jon & Tanner...
Thank you for sharing from your heart so that we know how to continue to pray. Wish we were still in Maine to stop by for another visit. I love the picture of your hands with Lindsay's... the Lord placed Lindsay into your hands & tender care for just 2 short years but forever in your hearts... now her hand is placed back into HIS hand, who created her & will forever care for her.
We are also very excited about Lindsay Bear's Garden & I look forward to taking our little ones there frequently to play and while they do, I commit to spending that time praising Him for Lindsay's life, for the impact she has made & will continue to make in soo many lives and to pray for you... Jon, Laura & Tanner!
We love you!
Brian & Donna & the little Bits
Laura, Thank you so much for sharing your grief with us. God is with you and I know that so many people are praying for you all.
I heard this song this morning and it ministered to my heart. I wanted to share it with you. It's titled Praise You in The Storm and it's sung by Casting Crowns.
Praise You In The Storm
I was sure by now, God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say amen, and it’s still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away
And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You, and raised me up again
My strength is almost gone how can I carry on if I can’t find You
And as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
Where does my help come from
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Praise You in the Storm
by: Casting Crowns
Thank you God for leading me to this song today. To the Weltes and the Groens you continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. God's blessings be upon you.
Love,
Susie and Steve
Thank you Laura!
I so treasure my son John, I can't imagine what grief you must feel. For she is soooo worth grieving. But I do know the love you feel for your child. It is awesome to have that experience. The blessing of being called "Mom". First for me it was MumMum! Best two words I ever heard, except, You're forgiven! Those will always be the best two words I ever heard! Now I get called "MA" but that's ok too! You love on that boy of yours and keep some in your heart for when you get 'home' to Lindsay.
Love to you all,
Dina
Your little niece Emma,(my neighbor) now calls me Cookie because everytime I see her she gets one! She marched right in my house yesterday and left with her hands full! With all my nieces and nephews so far away, it's nice to be able to share the little ones that are here.
Thanks Julie & Garrett! I'll keep giving her sugar and sending her home :)
Laura,
I too like Julie look up to you...
Your faith has taught me a lot, I look to you for the strength I don't believe I posses. I ask God to give me your faith and your strength often.
I am sorry that you had a tough day yesterday, but I am smiling because I know that Lindsay is having a wonderful day EVERYDAY!!
Laura I will pray that each day you find peace in Him and His allowing Lindsay to leave this world. I can't understand your pain, but I know that you are hurting inside. Know that I am here and will listen when ever I am needed.
Thank you for showing God's love to me today!
I love you & your family more then you know:)
Carrie
Jon, Laura and Tanner, my heart aches for you and with you. I think of you all often (Warren, Phyll, Bill, Jan, Zach too) and of Lindsay often. We love you all and continue to pray for you.
Love, (Aunt) Shirley
Jon, Laura, & Tanner,
Thanks for sharing the sweet picture in this blog.
My dear, sweet Father left this earth for his heavenly home on June
2,1998, and my missing him is greater than words can say. I, too, long to hear his voice, just hold his hand, see his smile..so many things I can no longer do with him, or say to him.
Not too long after June 2,1998, someone said to me; "I am so sorry for your loss." "Oh no, I replied, my Daddy is not lost, I know exactly where he is."
And we know exactly where dear, sweet Lindsay is....
Thinking of you, knowing the hurt is so great, but, no, there is not the "loss" of Lindsay, for we know
exactly where she is: HOME.
Continuing to keep you in my prayers, and sending you all "blog
hugs".....diane nichols
This picture is so sweet. The more I look at it, the more it reminds me of a team cheer...your family putting your hands in the middle, committing to walk this path together, with God's hand on the bottom, holding you up. You are such a wonderful example of what family truly means. (Your extended family, too, of course!) We think and talk about Lindsay all the time, and will continue to pray for you constantly.
Love,
Abbie Hackett
Hi,
Trust you all had a blessed Lord's Day!
My church family continues to hold you up in prayer. Needless to say, I pray for you more often than I can count--but who's counting? :)
Still checking the blog 1st thing everyday as well as in between. Now the blog check includes Pastor Bill.
This week I got the news that I will be a Greatgrandma for the
4th time--can't believe I'm old enough for that! Praising the Lord and praying that they will come to know our Lord.
God bless you.
Love, hugs & prayers,
Miriam
Dear Laura,
I am constantly amazed at your faith and your strength. I am so proud to call you my niece. I know that you always hoped that you could have the faith that your Nan had and you do and at times I think yours is even stronger.
Thinking and praying for all of you.
Love you all very much.
Aunt Jeanne
I daily check the blog and pray that God is continuing to fill you Laura with his peace. I never really knew you personally except one day at the lake last summer. Noah and Faith played with Lindsay and Tanner and Emma too. My childen named your dad the General of Keswick. Know that I have been ministered by your love and courage on the blog and in your testimony for Our God. May God continue to strengthen you with and extra special hug.
In Him (or as your dad says in HIS GRIP) Sharon Mumma
Last night I was thinking of you! I put Emma to bed and she was so tired she couldn't fall asleep. I sat next to her crib and rubbed her head. While watching her, I began crying. Thinking of you guys and how your heart aches. I will never understand the pain you are going through. Then I began to think of the little things we sometimes take for granted. Like going in and watching my little girl sleep! I know how you long to see her again and look at her! As a mom, I can't even imagine how it feels. But know that we love you guys and we love Lindsay very much!
We are looking forward to coming next weekend and spending some time with you guys! Can't wait.
Love you,
~Julie
My heart still aches for all of you. Yesterday we got to see our great nephew for the first time, Braxton William Wood, who is now 3 1/2 months old and will have his heart surgery the beginning of August at CHOP. It will be one of three surgeries. He was so sweet with his head of hair and then his big blue eyes looking so innocently and trusting at me. I could hear the swish in his heart that needs to be corrected. Our family would covet your prayers as my niece and her husband go through this time. I pray that God would give them the strength and peace knowing that He is in control of little Braxton's life. I love you and wish I could give you a great big bear hug. I know God has you all in the palm of His hand and will not let you go. Hope to see you sometime soon. Love, Aunt Connie
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