The morning I received the call, that my oldest child was in the hospital, I didn’t realize that I was being held up, by strong arms. God had things for me to do, and so He filled me with his peace and presence, without my even realizing it. When the shock came, along with the news of my son’s death, God strengthened me in my need.
The day after the death of my son, my car broke down in a grocery store parking lot, and wouldn’t start again. At this point, though I had tried to have faith through the ordeal, I glanced up at the sky and said, “Really, God? You couldn’t have given me just a bit more grace, knowing what I had just gone through?” I felt what seemed like a gentle hug to my soul, and I admitted, “Okay, God… I know that you will never waste a moment. Even in this, you have a plan.”
The tow truck driver seemed to sense that he could confide in me. He shared, in frustration, “My sister is dying of cancer… and it’s killing me.” I glanced over at him and said softly, “You know… if you had shared this with me the day before yesterday, I might not have understood how you felt, but… my son died yesterday morning. I think I have a better idea of what you are going through.” At this point I had his full attention. His heart was ready to receive anything God might say.
I said to him, with the conviction that God was placing on my heart, “When my car broke down in the parking lot, I could have tried my best to get it to the shop by myself. But I couldn’t do it. It is way too heavy for me.” As we pulled up to the repair shop, I continued, “I needed your help to get it here.” The man who had opened his heart up to me was listening, and so I added, “You and I have a burden that is way too heavy for us to carry on our own. We simply can’t do it. We need God’s help, to carry so much pain.” I then promised him, “If you will reach out to God, he’ll hear you… he’ll respond.” The tow truck driver looked over at me, saying, “I think I’ll be considering your words.”
Through the death of my son I learned that the Lord is willing to meet us in our need, even before we realize that we are in need. He may use us to bless others, even in the midst of our own pain. He is faithful…always.
Comments
Beautiful and encouraging story.So glad you shared it as I too am facing my own trials.It gives me courage.
I’m so glad that it encourages you. It blesses me to know that through my son’s life that God is able to offer people hope, that he will be with them through any situation.
What a message of hope that comes through living the difficult times of our lives. We meet others in their pain when we have been there too. Having recently lost my sister to CA I hear you heart.
May God strengthen you,
Betsy
So sorry about the loss of your sister, Betsy. May God also comfort and strengthen you, as you miss her.
Really tired of hearing about and having people dump their problems on others. Earnestly taking
advantage of them. I think women should learn to hold their own weight and wear the pants so
to speak by “putting on the Word of God” My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge.
I -believe- it means the lack of knowledge of His Word. Upgerd your loins of your mind with the
truth. I would prefer hearing words that are pure and peaceable. Gods Words. I do not know you
nor you me but it sad to see how little people actually go to go and learn to fellowship in “His spirit”
instead of this humanistic replica which is a falsies of walking with -Christ Jesus-. Your identity
should be in Christ seated in the heaven at Christ most right hand. A generation of too
many self help books, instead of truly with all your heart seeking the truth in Gods Word first.
If you spent more time with God loving Him more by putting His perspective first and foremost instead of putting any individual first you might become a fruit that someone would find a joy to find and a blessing.
Thank you, Robin, for sharing how God uses brokenness to accomplish a greater purpose, many times that we cannot see. Unfortunately, there is no way we can understand this until we have been broken and seen God use it for good. I haven’t lost a child, but I too have experienced God’s redeeming work through pain and I am thankful that I can say without a doubt that our God is good, His mercy endures forever, His lovingkindness is without end!
Your words encouraged me, Connie. Thank you for sharing them.
It was sad to me to read Holly’s comments, which seemed so condemning and self-sufficient. God never intended that women (or men for that matter) should “hold their own weight and wear their own pants;” instead He uses us in our weakness to draw on His strength, not our own.
This became obvious to my husband and to me during the last 18 months, when we had no answers, had no strength of our own, and we had many people holding us up in prayer and support. We couldn’t “hold our own weight”, (which sounds more like “God helps those who help themselves”–not in the Bible, by the way), and all the theology of the Bible couldn’t fill the heartbreak in our souls. God did that, not Church doctrine, and He healed the deep hurts we were experiencing.
Holly, I don’t know what you have been through, but somehow you’ve gotten the wrong idea about what it means to walk in faith with Christ. It’s an individual walk, but God also designed us to “bear one another’s burdens,[loads too heavy for one person to carry] and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal 6:2. I hope in your time of need, which we all experience at one time or another, you will find people to support you in love, prayer and compassion. And then you can share and uplift people going thru hardships of their own.
Ronda, I was blessed by your words of admonition and encouragement. I have often prayed that those who do not understand or comprehend the blessings of God (including how he helps us and leads us) may have their eyes opened by his grace.
Your comment about having no strength of your own reminded me of those first few days when our family was reeling from the loss of Jeremiah. Food was brought over to us from loving families who realized that we probably wouldn’t even think to eat, if we were not encouraged to do so. In fact, I remember looking over at the food and realizing that the thought of eating hadn’t even entered my mind. The grace of others helped to carry us during a time when we truly had no strength of our own, except what God himself provided.
Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you as a vessel in this forum. When I did not feel inspired with a reply, I forgot that he might lead someone else to do it instead.
Thanks for sharing your moment of pain because we never know when we are going to need it and this gives us hope and comfort knowing that He’s plans are always better then ours. God bless!
You’re welcome, Marla. God bless you, too.
We lost our our 30 year old son unexpectedly to an enlarged heart 2 years ago on March 20th. If it hadn’t been for my faith, I wouldn’t be doing so well. All the wonderful people God sent to me during this very difficult to give us strength and comfort has been the greatest blessing. They have taught me how to be a better person. I hope to help others with what I have learned.
I was amazed at how much love I have found since the death of my son. Honestly, aside from the one critical comment a few comments above, everyone else has been wonderful. In that last ten years I have never heard one unkind word (until tonight, and that is to be expected on a public forum, since anyone can voice in). How good of God to open my eyes to how blessed I’ve been!
I can’t see my previous comment, so I don’t know if I said that I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved son.
Wow! What an amazing, inspirational and powerful story! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Lindsey. I’m glad that it blessed you.
Thank you for sharing this very touching story. It helped put things in perspective for me as I face the day today. Even though my struggle is not nearly as painful as what you and this gentleman went through, it helps to remember that in all circumstances, God will bring us through it. Blessings upon you for sharing your heart today.
Thank you, DeAnn. I am reminded that all of our struggles matter to God, big or small. He cares for us through them all.
Other than losing a loved one, the hardest thing I’ve had to do was lose a beloved pet. This morning we had to put our little doggy down. We know that God gives us our strength to get thru the hard times. This is a big one Lord. She had been such a big part of our lives for 12 yrs. We will miss her so much;
Pat, I was surprised when I lost my beloved cats last year (they were both 14) in how painful it was. Losing a person does not diminish our pain in losing another loving part of our lives. If anything, we are made more aware by the loss of someone we love how meaning all of our relationships are, including the pets who may have helped us emotionally, through other losses.. When you love someone dearly, be it a person or a beloved pet, it hurts when they are gone. So sorry for the loss of your precious doggy. Hugs to you, tonight.
This story came at a time when my heart is heavy with trials regarding family dynamics just now. I have prayed and prayed through my pain and know intellectually that God cares and hears me but somehow I haven’t been able to really let go and give Him space to work. I pray that I too might be able to convey to another God’s presence and blessings in the midst of trials. Thank you for sharing this story and reminding me of God’s faithfulness.
Kaye, (my middle name is Kay),
I appreciate your honest reflection. One thing I shared in another story is that my faith has not always been strong and steady… but God’s concern has remained the same. What a comfort to know that it is doesn’t depend on us – it depends on him. We are blessed to be just as loved when we are feeling weak, as when we are feeling strong.
Thank you for your testimony. I would like to share it with my son-in-law who just lost his grandma. She was a mother to him and losing her is tearing him apart. He is not a believer in Christ but perhaps sharing this story with him, he might come to call on God’s grace. I know what it is to need Him after losing my mother and two sister’s to cancer. There is no way to carry that pain alone; but through Christ who gives me strength.
I hope it touches him, but I am also reminded that sometimes we might plant a seed of encouragement, which later grows and bears fruit. As long as you show him love, he will sense God’s own love in whatever you do…. and God will take care of the rest.
This story brought me to tears…God always seems to use our pain to help someone else in need. I’ve seen it happened so many times. I just went through a horrible divorce and was able to use my pain to help other women. God is definitely working through me to help them just like He did with this lady when her son died.
You are right, Anne… you may be the only one who is able to comprehend a woman’s pain, whom you might meet. It can be tempting sometimes, when we are supposed to show our faith and belief, to say to others, “it will be okay… you’ll meet someone new”, etc,, when inside we are hurting so deeply that its like a wound that will take time to heal. You are blessed to already want to comfort someone else. By looking outward, you are on your way to healing. So sorry for your loss.
Hi, i pray so much, my god and your.
Life is very hard. every day you are in my prayers
Smile, if you will but thousands of us are like that little boy,
Jose Cuesta
You are correct in saying that life is hard. I am reminded that Jesus himself did not mince words, as he warned us that life would not always be easy.
I am thankful that I’m able to smile, but I’ve learned that its okay to cry sometimes, too. Thank you for your prayers, and may God bless you in whatever you may need, too.
Robin, What a beautiful picture of allowing yourself to be used through the pain of your circumstances. You are so right, there are no wasted movements with God. Thank you for sharing this.
Do you know, Leslie, that I almost hesitated in revealing how “real” my conversation was, with God? Then I thought, “No… God admires honesty from the heart, and maybe someone will need to know that its okay to take our hearts to God, in whatever condition they may be in.” Thank you, for your kind words.
I know that God is always faithful, but it’s hard for me not to be fearful during the unknown. My husband had a colonoscopy this morning and had a suspicious polyp.. The dr did a biopsy and we will know in a few days. Pray that God will calm my fears and I will trust God for the outcome
Becky,
I have had those moments where I have had to wait to know the outcome of something, and I know how frightening that can be. I had to wait five days to find out the condition of my little girl’s heart, when she was younger, and it seemed that time stood still until I knew that she would be okay. I’m praying that you will sense God’s peace and presence, as you go through this with your husband. How blessed he is, to have you caring for him through it all.
God has his perfect timing for us and others glad she was there to help the tow truck driver and that they both needed easy other at the right time
God’s timing is amazing…. I was thankful that God felt that he could use me, even in my grief and pain. That just shows that its all because of him – his love, power, and purpose.
I simply want to thank you for the many stories you have shared. They are moving, uplifting, strengthening, and an easing reminder that our God is truly an awesome God, ready to carry us in a time of need. Thank You!
Patty Gregg
You are very welcome Patty! This is one of our favorite additions to the newsletter and something we are most proud of. Seeing how the community is coming together and sharing in these moving testimonies has been such a blessing for us! Oftentimes we find ourselves weeping when reading the stories as well. A truly remarkable community.
How timely! I came in to work this morning and found out that my boss’s father had passed away on Friday afternoon from complications from surgery. Many things happen in life and I do not know how to deal with or what to say, but this time, I totally understand how he was feeling. You see, my dad had passed away only 2 months ago from completely different circumstances and expected, but I was able to understand how he was feeling. I know God came in my need and held me up through the dark days and will also for my boss and his family.
God cares about all of us…. so amazing, how many of us there are, and yet he sees each and every need.
So sorry for the loss of your father. We are so blessed to know God, and to be able to receive (and give) his love.
This is a good reminder to look for God’s blessings in the mist of the pain.
Robin (I like your name, lol) it almost seemed…. wrong? to have noticed so many blessings, before, during and after the death of my son. I had always felt that everything related to death would be negative, but I could not dismiss the fact that blessings surrounded our family, even then. There are other stories I could tell, and I hope to in a book…. but you are right. There can be blessings, even in the midst of a storm.
Thank you.
You’re welcome, Allen. God bless you.
Hello Robin
Praise God for giving you the strength & courage to know & recognize the tow truck driver sharing about his heavy load….& to come out of your own pain to see How much he needed to see God in you.
Our daughter Brittany has been diagnosed of Schofrenia since the 3 Vaccine was given to her in 2007…bright, intelligent, straight A student, oil paints like a professional .. Now spends her days talking & chattering to nobody… It’s been close to 6 years of dealing & living in this nightmare.
I can only speak from my perspective that God too has been walking me through this nightmare.
The Devil comes to Steal, Kill & Devour.
I have come to grips that being A Christian just means that I will have to go through much more…& my Strenght, my life, my thoughts, my behavior, my surrender has to be nailed to the Cross… Until I completely surrender than God began to heal my cramped thoughts to his thoughts… So this Trial I’m going through Will bring Glory to his name!
Funny that few years back I couldn’t see straight what this was all about?
I came away realizing my Life is not my own. I will get ready for this call.
May God strengthen your walk each day, making it more beautiful & more will be touched by your story.
June, some say that death is the hardest thing, but I am not so sure its true. My son might have been brained damaged, to the point of having his entire personality transformed. So, yes, death is a sad conclusion (as far as this earth is concerned, since we have to wait to see them), but your own loss is just as real and agonizing. Your beloved daughter’s personality was taken and changed by a situation that has changed your life, and hers.
One thing we share, however… Whatever grace we need, God will give. I will be given the grace to live without seeing my son again (this side of heaven), and you will be given an extra measure of grace for your precious daughter. She will be healed, its just a matter of when. But hold onto that hope, beloved mother…. you will see your daughter’s eyes light up again, just as I saw my son’s eyes shine, the last time I saw him. It was a sign to me, of what was to come, and I will cherish that picture forever, in my heart.
Thank you!
You’re welcome.
Wow How powerful!! So glad you shared What a blessing
Thank you, Karen. I’m so glad you were blessed.
Hello Robin
Thank you praying for my daughter Brittany.
I didn’t know whether you were able to read my write up to you… The complete writing.
I wrote how I was impressed with how quick you recognize this man needed God in his life… You step out of yourself and made it very beautiful.
Alot of times we fail to see What God wants out of our Trial….& because we are so absorb with our own problems to come out of ourselves & see that someone else has it worst than us… It’s so great to see this in you!!… Thanks for being so Uplifting!!
June…. someone said how amazed they were by my faith, and I asked, “Was it that I have strong faith on my own, or did God enable me to have it, so that I could accomplish his will?” (They were referring to my speaking and singing at Jeremiah’s memorial.)
I know that it was God who enabled me to share with the man I met along the way… the same God who instilled in me a sense of compassion for others. I’m not deflecting your compliment… I am thankful to have done it… but I know that without the Holy Spirit’s help – to feel compassion, when I wasn’t able to feel much else – I couldn’t have done it. I might not have even thought to do so. God loved this man enough to move my heart, I guess… and I’m glad that I was able to show him God’s love, in the process.
Robin…Thank you for showing & reminding me of “How Awesome our God is?”
And Robin!! You are A very mature Christian!!
And I am not trying to flatter you..
I think that when A Christian is being used by God or under his training We sometimes lose Focus
& fail to understand Where this persecution is leading us to?… I’ve been a Christian for many years… Been through alot of hard stuff.. God strengthen me…pull me back up.. & here we are..only this time it’s pulling our hair… Mine especially.
It doesn’t matter How many times in a day I listen to Christian music.. I read gods word…& Pray… For me it is Inspiring when I pick up an article such as yours .. & God uses it to convict me…I Thank God for you!!
No worries, June… I’m pretty good at seeing through flattery (most of the time), and I sensed that your words were sincere. Sometimes my faith seems mature, and at other times I am ever aware of how much more I need to grow. I used to gather together on a weekly basis with some sweet older ladies in my church, who gathered around me in faith to help uplift me, as a single mother, when my children were younger. One of them smiled at me and said, “Oh, honey… we will all be learning and growing until we get to heaven.” Her comment served to take the pressure off of me, and helped me to realize that whatever I needed to learn, God would be faithful to show me. I began to understand that while we are to strive for perfection (or, as my former choir would say, excellence), we would never be perfect until we were made complete. As for conviction… we are blessed to be able to respond to that tender admonishment from the Lord, or his firmer guidance, should we ever need it. It is only when we are unwilling to listen or to make the necessary changes that our faith begins to suffer. I for one do not want to be in that place, and so I am happy for him to guide me. I can trust his leading. (Thank God for you, too, and the encouragement you so freely give.)
I know how you feel. I lost my son in 2009. Than in 2011 I lost my husband of 30 years. This year I lost my home of 30 years. But though it all God has used me to help other parents & other widows so we do make it but only by the grace of God. Keeping you & the tow truck driver in my prayers & God blest you both.
God bless you, Paula. You have so much strength and courage. Big hugs to you, and prayers too, for God’s blessings to shower down upon your life.
I have realized on my walk with GOD in my life that I have never walked along. At times it may have seemed that way being emotional and not thinking right but the LORD has always shown me that I am never alone and JESUS carries me everyday. I feel blessed in all the thinks that he has done for me given me especially his son JESUS! I lost my dad almost 4 years ago. I still feel his lost but I know he is in the arms of jESUS and I will see him again one day.
Just like you will see your son again. GOD is good!
We are so blessed to know and believe these promises, that our loved ones are with God, and we will see them again. May you find comfort in sweet memories of your father. God bless you.
My oldest son passed away a month ago today. I feel like I cant breath and the only thing I know to be true in this world is that God never gets it wrong.
Gentle and loving hugs to you, Julie. I’m so sorry that you lost your son. The numbness will help you to get through this first year… we are blessed that our minds do not have to absorb the shock, all at once.
My pastor said that grief is like the ocean… the waves are turbulent at first, but they will gradually subside.
May you have precious memories of your child to comfort you. God bless.
I needed to read this today because i just lost a very close friend to cancer. She was a strong christian and fought it for six years. Her funeral was last wednesday. Instead of a funeral it was a celebration of her life. We had an awesome service. I learned from the minister her words that she wanted spoke was that she didn’t want us to grieve her, but rejoice because she was suffering no more.
She wanted us also to go on with our lives and live them to the fullest, but most of all do what God has called us to do, and that is to share his love, just like this devotion said.
I want to do what God has called me to do and that is to serve him to the fullest!
I’m sorry, Margie, for the loss of your beloved friend.
I was able to share similar words with my son’s friend, who had been driving during the accident. (He has fallen asleep at the wheel). I told him, “Jeremiah would want you to keep living your life.”
Yes, we will miss them, and there will be pain, but knowing they are truly in a better place does help us to wait until we can see them again.
the pain the sruggles of life of its own terms. the burden of a very heavy heart. I’ve been through this over and over again. some how i’m willing to survive it all. the tears of heart break or not knowing if i’m gonna loose it. god has seen my pain ans have heard my cries. hes there for me I can feel it. the abuse the toture all my addolas gone due to my drug history and a broken down family. I have family of my own I teach to them how getting an education staying in school and getting that dimploma is very important. not to hang around the wrong types of people who will get you down not putting yourself around drugs and alchol. how god does love you. and so do I. I don’t want my children to go through what ive been through. faithfulness is what I give to my husband and my kids. and god as well.. iam trying and willing to do the right thing. as ive been clean for almost 11 years now. still the past can be there but I make for certain I keep it in its place. please keep watching over me. and keep me strong. lecrecia…
Hi Lecrecia,
I think you may have been speaking to God (by what you said in the last verse), but I just wanted to say – Good for you, for being clean for almost 11 years. You can be proud of your efforts to move forward, and to be a loving example to your family.
What a beautiful picture of God’s timing not our own. Thank you for sharing this.
God is good, to care about all of us, at anytime. Its like he was looking down at the tow truck driver and thought, “Who can I use? Robin said she was available….” And though I was weak, he was strong enough….
Oh my heart is so heavy for you! Losing a child is the hardest burden we can carry… I am so thankful that GOD is there, helping you carry some of that load. May HIS love surround you in all of your days….and may HE put people in your life and path to give you comfort and love you! Bless your sweet heart!
Thank you, Maxine, for your sweet blessing. What a soothing balm to end my day with, as I prepare to go to sleep. God’s blessings to you, also, in whatever you may need.
This story tells me again that God is right there for us. My heart was so heavy last night praying for help for my grandson – then today I read this email that again teaches me God doesn’t make mistakes. I must turn over the problems in my life to God and leave them there – God will take care of them. At this time I have a grandson and granddaughter with some much needed answers about their health, their father and step mother and their mother needs an answer to their problem ;a daughter who had an accident; a daughter and her husband going through many health problems leading to finacial problems; but my oldest daughter just came through some rough surgery but is now doing well – all praise goes to our Lord and Savior.
What a burden our hearts have, to bear the pain that our loved ones are going through. Part of my pain in losing Jeremiah is knowing how much it has hurt his siblings, and the void that is a part of their lives. It is an ache I cannot soothe. We are blessed to realize that God will take care of our loved ones, and comforting as we remember that he loves them even more than we do, since he created them.
Thanks for sharing. I have things weighing on my mind and needed to see this tonight. My son is still here, but he was in a car wreck 5 1/2 years ago and left 75% brain damaged. I know it is not for me to know why, but I do not understand.
Good Morning Robin:
Thank you for that encouraging word. As the mother of 5 children I depend on God’s protection on their behalf. My heart goes out to you on your loss. Sometimes we don’t understand why our heavenly Father does things the way that He does, but what I have learned is that he grace is sufficient. In your story I was able once again to see his sufficient grace. You are a shining light for those who are having trouble trusting our Father’s grace. May Jesus continue to strengthen you for the journey ahead. May he forever cover you with his love and mercy.
Chandra
Thank you for your kind blessing, Chandra. When you spoke of some having trouble trusting in God’s grace, I was reminded of a young man who had been a friend of my son’s, who smiled and said to me (when I asked him how he was doing with God), “Oh… I don’t really have much need for God, right now.” At that moment I was filled with a gentle sense of love and compassion for him, and I replied, “Actually… you will be depending upon God with the very next breath that you take.” With that, he breathed in, and his eyes opened wide in comprehension. I gave him a smile and went on my way, knowing that a seed had been planted in his heart. We are God’s light for people who are uncertain about who God is, and who do not realize how much he loves them.
Teresa,
I’m so sorry for the pain you’ve had to go through as the results of a an accident your son went through. Sometimes I am reminded that, because of the fall of man, when sin entered the world, devestation and pain came along with it. It wasn’t until after I lost my son that I comprehended that the very first family on earth were the ones to experience the first devestating experience, involving their sons.
Pain and loss will be inevitibable while we are on earth, though we are blessed as believers to be able to rely on his strength in our time of need. May God supply all the grace you need as you care for your son.
Robin, Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and for sharing your very inspiring story of faith in a very real and live God! I haven’t lost a child but have lost Grandparents, one of which was very close to my heart. I was unable to see or talk to her before she passed away and it was VERY HARD on me. God has since healed my heart and showed me many things through that trial for which I am VERY THANKFUL to Him! May you keep on blessing people with your life and your words…….
Thank you, Shelly. On the one hand, those of us who have lost a child would never want anyone else to have to comprehend how it feels, but we also realize that there are different kinds of loss, and they hurt, too. I’m sorry for the loss of your grandparents.
I remember how sad I felt after I lost my grandmother and realized that I should have called her one last time before I lost her. I shared this with a woman who gave me a gentle smile and said, “Robin, you’re grandmother is with God. She’s complete.” My soul felt encouraged in realizing that she was completely at peace. That has helped me to wait until I can see her again.