The Right Words

I just don’t want to pack my bags and head out the door. I typically jump at a chance to head SOUTH and see the family, but this time my purpose is to travel home, be with family and attend the funeral of a 21 month old baby boy. A terminal illness is the culprit, his 21 months were hard ones and my heart ached for him and his family as they dealt with his sufferings.

Is it better for his little body to be amongst the angels, YES.
Was it hard on the family to deal with a son, nephew, cousin and grandson losing his battle….Absolutely.
So as I pack my bag, what words do I use when I see them?
"Sorry, know how you feel…"  (NO)
"So sorry for your loss…" (Yes, but so standard)

I needed some connection with words as I prepared to head home. I have tossed around thoughts, statements and scriptures as I have talked with my sister in law, who is the aunt, during this entire battle. So I began packing for my trip, stuffing the bags, hanging the dresses out to be packed, and my phone goes off…. a new email!

I have a best friend that sends a scripture out every day. I usually read quickly, smile, and then say a prayer of thanks that I have a friend that makes me pause to think about our heavenly Father… then go about my day. But yesterday’s scripture was perfect, it was exactly what I needed to prepare for my trip home. It got me out of my funeral funk, and I will continue to pray that those are the words I can use over the weekend.

Romans 5:1-5
  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the   glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

After I read that email, I paused and thought about it. Smiled and thanked GOD again for my daily scripture!

Sometimes the direction in which we are led is not fun and may be confusing. In those moments we have to choose to see the will of God and realize JD was sent for us all to realize a bigger picture. It was for us to grow in character because of him, and his strength. It was for us to acknowledge that the hard and painful sufferings he and his family faced will allow endurance to be produced. That’s a good thing!  Endurance produces character, character produce hope. Hope is what we can hold onto so that our goal is to reunite with all those who pass before us in Heaven!!!!

This Southern Girl will be on her way home, shortly. My bags are packed and the car will soon be loaded.  I know there will soon be some porch swing time with hurting family members trying to find the silver lining in this experience. I pray that endurance, character and hope is the blessing they each find through this. I would like to end with a special request… would you please offer a special prayer for my sister in law, Alleasha, and the Ferron family as we honor JD Ferron, their Superman, who died of Menkes Disease.

Heavenly Father,
I humbly come before you thanking you for the life, health and blessings we receive daily.
I thank you for placing people in my life that help me with my heavenly walk. I ask that you embrace the Ferron family as they all come together to honor a family member. Please allow everyone to see your love and let it flow into their hearts. Be with all those who have lost family members or who are in a battle now. Thank you for choosing to send your son, to die on the cross, so that the hope of heaven is here for us all.
In Your Son’s name I pray,
Amen  

Ashleigh Feuerbacher
Stephenville, Texas