While Hailey's memorial service was beautiful, there is one thing that has been bugging me about it - and just one thing I want to make clear with all of the comments we keep getting from people...
Many people have told us how impressed they are by how we're handling Hailey's death and how strong and mature we are, etc. And the thing that is bothering me from Hailey's service was when the funeral director had everyone there applaud us for our strength, etc. I really felt that was inappropriate to be honest.
I am glad people are seeing our strength during this difficult time, but I need to make something clear...
all of the joy and hope and strength we have is supernatural - God-given. So it's like the Chris Tomlin song "Not to Us" : "Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory."
So I appreciate everyone's comments praising us for our strength, etc. and I truly appreciate that - but really it's not us - this is all a God thing. We are weak and grieve and are sad. But God has given us strength and hope and joy and everything we need to get through this.
There are several Biblical truths that I am seeing played out in my life that speak to this issue:
2 Cor. 12:9 "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." God is definitely displaying His power in our weakness right now...
and..."Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think". Ephesians 3:20
God is accomplishing more in us and Hailey more than we EVER could have imagined.
So don't praise us - PRAISE GOD and give the glory to God!
And keep praying for us because we need prayers and God to get us through this.
Krissy,
ReplyDeleteI am still going to praise you for your strength. I know that God is in all of this, but I also know that people don't have to follow God's leading or let Him carry them. Everyday, people rebel and run from God. But you and Josh have stood strong and kept your eyes on God. You have leaned on his promises and not turned to drugs or other "easy" ways out. God's way is not always the easy road to take, although it is easier than the HARD WAYS that we can often create for ourselves if we do things our way. So now I admire you even more, because you are humble about what is taking immense strength to submit to!! You will not sway my opinion...you are strong. :-) Hang tough...and keep smiling! I know God loves you and is right there with you providing all that you need to get through this. Keep up the great blogging. And give Josh another hug.
Our friends Martha and Dan lost their baby son. I traveled with a friend to Iowa to attend the baby's funeral. His mom took me into her bedroom later that day and showed me the soiled baby diaper-the last she had changed before he passed-it was on her night stand and gave her great comfort, for the reason you mentioned in your blog...it smelled like him! Keep sharing your thoughts...it will help so many...
ReplyDelete