pastorjfreeman

A dear friend sent this to Emily and I this week. The lady who wrote this had a daughter who died 6 years ago. Her words aptly describe exactly how Emily and I feel. As I went through it, I adjusted her comments and some things in a few places to personalize it for our situation. We are thankful for so many things today…grieving, yet rejoicing! As we have said: “Life is less sweet, death is less bitter, and heaven is more real.”

“What is there to be thankful for on this day?

We are thankful to be Trey’s mom and dad. It was an honor and a privilege and a blessing beyond measure.

We are thankful for the people that we met along the way–doctors, nurses, and other parents of people that we would never have met if we hadn’t entered their world.

We are thankful for Trey’s incredible laugh and beautiful smile…two things burned in our hearts forever.

We are thankful for superheroes, action figures, coloring books, cartoons, wrestlers, video games, and so many other things Trey loved.

We are thankful for the lives that were and continue to be changed through our story.

We are thankful that on September 1, 2013, Trey didn’t die, he began to “really live!”

We are thankful for a little 7 year old boy named Ben who asked Jesus to be the “boss of his life,” just like Trey!

We are thankful for the wisdom we are gaining through suffering.

We are thankful that we have received comfort that we can use to comfort others.

We are thankful for a marriage that will survive the death of a child.

We are thankful for our other children whose lives were forever impacted, but not defined, by their brother’s death. We are thankful for the incredible courage they show every single day of their lives.

We are thankful for tested faith that is more precious than gold.

We are thankful for an eternal perspective. What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal…2 Corinthians 4:18.

We are thankful that we are learning to trust God deeply, even though we can’t always understand him.

We are thankful for the ‘missing feeling’ that reminds us that this world is not our home.

We are thankful for a reunion to look forward to.

We are thankful that Trey taught us to make every breath count and to live life even when we feel don’t like it.

We are thankful for good friends who walked through the valley with us and who remember.

We are thankful for new friends whose encouragement has meant more to us than we could ever say.

We are thankful that God can make beauty from ashes and change mourning to dancing.

We will always be sorry that Trey died, but we will never be sorry that he lived.

We are thankful that because of Jesus and Jesus alone…we will see our son again and worship the one true God together around His throne!

Joni Eareckson Tada might be one of the greatest voices the church has today. Her perspective on suffering is incredible. She’s been a paraplegic most of her life and was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. One of the truths God showed her a few years ago has been a tremendous encouragement to me. She calls it “splash-overs of hell,” and “splash-overs of heaven.” Read the following quote from her and be blessed:

“I had breast cancer and one day when I was coming home from chemo, my husband Ken and I were talking about “splash-overs” of hell. I’ve always said that suffering is like a little splash-over of hell, reminding us of what Christ rescued us from—like a tiny taste of what life could be like for all of eternity, were it not for God’s graciousness. So we started talking about what splash-overs of heaven are; the places or times when there’s no suffering and life is breezy and things are going our way . . . but then we decided nope, splashovers of heaven are not that. They’re not the mountaintop experiences. Splash-overs of heaven are when you find Jesus in the splash-over of hell. It was so encouraging to suddenly feel that powerful little insight take root in my heart. So instead of trying to be so quick to escape pain—even as I keep praying for change—I’ve been learning to be quick to sit and wait and see what satisfaction the Lord will give. I know that yielding to Him and patiently waiting on Him is winning me “an eternal glory that far outweighs [it] all” (2 Cor. 4:17 niv). When I stick with Him in “the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil. 3:10), I’m increasing my capacity for joy and worship and service, and that draws me closer to Jesus. It gives such meaning to the pain.”

That is some powerful stuff. Here is my interpretation of what she was saying…splash-overs of heaven on earth are not always God delivering you from your “hell,” but rather, Him coming to you in your “hell” and carrying you through it! This is what I am currently experiencing. God has come to me in my darkest moment and said, “I am here. I am with you. Others will forsake you and abandon you. I will never leave you or forsake and I will see you through.” Praise be unto God that we serve such a gracious and compassionate God who abounds in mercy and love! Thank you Jesus for coming to me in my hell and waking with me through it all! I realize this is just a splash-over, and one day I will experience the fullness of deliverance when you bring me into Your presence, just as You did Trey! I love you Lord!!!