Grief, Memory and Hope. How one couple trusts in Christ even when they lose their son.

I was moved this morning when I read Happy Birthday Paul. It says:

Two years ago our baby boy Paul was still-born. It was the worst day of our lives. No words can describe the shock, the agony, and the pain of that day and the days following. We got to hold him, but for such a short time. We told him we loved him a thousand times. Then we buried him in the ground. And with his little casket we felt like we had buried our joy and our future.

They have written several times about their son. Their testimony during and after this trial points us to a faithful savior. These are very personal and heartfelt accounts of their grief, memory and hope. They do not forget and they do not blame. I see in their reflections a godly family who trusts Christ - even in their pain. This is deep rooted and has grown from years of treasuring Christ and his Word. Trials and suffering reveal where our real hope is resting. We should thank God for believers like Mark and Stephanie.

I was reminded of God's kindness to us as parents. None of us deserve (or should demand) these gifts from God we call children. It is difficult not to hold them tightly as my own. I am reminded that my little ones belong to God. They conclude their post in hope:

Two years ago we buried our joy and our future with our firstborn son. Today we realized God has restored our joy, and sustained our faith. Today we know that part of our future is there, but it is not a joyless future. Today we looked forward to the day when Christ returns and resurrects baby Paul's little body from the earth, for "we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (1 Cor. 15:52-54).

See also:

• Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Happy Birthday Paul
  
• Monday, April 10, 2006 Happy Birthday Paul - we miss you
• Wednesday, July 20, 2005 To Clarify....
• Tuesday, July 05, 2005 Song for Paul