Shepherd, It’s been a year since you were found in the water. A year since they pulled you, lifeless, onto the ground and began to force breath into your lungs- willing you to live, begging your heart to beat. A year since your daddy called me screaming so hard he couldn’t speak and the breath left my own body for what seemed like an eternity…It’s been a year since we thought we would never see your big blue eyes again or hear your laugh or watch you run and play. Since tubes ran from your body and machines shook your tiny frame and you laid still. I raced down the highway only to have to stop and pull over from sobbing and heaving over my steering wheel, desperately asking God to please be who He claims to be- sovereign. Faithful. Good… and I regretfully admit I’m not sure I believed it at the time. Good? Where was His goodness in this? A year… A year since God called us out upon the water and asked us to trust Him- to let him show his strength to thousands. A year since you were restored to us by His grace… I remember very distinctly the weight of those days. Feeling helpless to comfort your momma and daddy or be of use or even stand without our knees buckling beneath us. But I also remember the friends that rallied around us. People we had never even met came to our rescue, pulling us out of darkness and reminding us to hope. They took our burden and carried it when we could no longer bear to lift our heads and our hands shook from fear. They prayed over you and claimed healing- they knew it would be so. It’s rare that one is permitted to stand so close to a miracle. To witness it fully and see the impossible turn to dust as God makes them so. But we stood in the midst of a storm and watched God calm the waters where we stood. And there it was. His goodness.
In this year, we’ve watched you grow and learn and struggle and triumph. A year of victory, but not without it’s battles. And this weekend, we will gather together for you as we did in your hospital room. But this time, our hearts are not heavy with grief and fear and regret. This time we gather with joy and singing in our souls- having seen and tasted the Lord is good. This time we celebrate your life and declare this date not as a dark day when the waters raged, but as a day that the Lord claimed for his own glory. Always remember that you are covered in love and blessings. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 We love you, Shepman. Xo, Aunt Chels
9 Comments
6/18/2015 07:14:51 am
Oh my heart! Definitely made me tear up a bit and pull on my heart strings. How good is He?! His grace is so abundant in the times when we need it most, and even when we don't! SO happy for you and thankful that he is still there with you.
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Teresa Sego
6/18/2015 10:08:32 am
I remember reading about Shep and feeling like I couldn't imagine how his mommy and daddy and you all were feeling! I prayed desperately that Jesus would carry Shep as he fought for his sweet life! To watch his sweet miracle unfold was amazing and humbling to image we serve a God who still gives us miracles! Happy Birthday sweet Shep🎉🍰🎈🎁
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AuthorMy name is Chelsea. Redeemed. Wife. Mommy. Photographer. Light Chaser. I hope you find light here too. Archives
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