To everything there is a season

This past week and a half has been tough. My heart has been heavy daily for a family in my church, that is going through an unspeakable tragedy. No one should have to go through the death of a child. Unfortunately  they lost their sweet boy Landry after a tragic accident. When your confronted with such heartache, you try and find the words to be able to express your deep sympathy, but there are none.  All you can do, is offer condolences, and wrap them in love, and pray. Pray for healing, pray for understanding, pray for peace, pray for forgiveness.  

If I could share one thing that I came away with this week, it would be encompassed in one word. 

LOVE

I have witnessed love for a family grieving for a loved one. I have witnessed love for two sweet girls sitting in a church pew, just trying to hold it together and have some sense of normal. I have witnessed a youth group honor a child, by wearing Superman shirts under their dress clothes, as they escort his casket during his funeral. I have witnessed two amazing men, truly honor a child that was lost much to soon. I have witnessed two loving parents, make the bravest and most un-selfish decision to provide a miracle for another family by donating the gift of life, in the midst of their tragedy. As one of the preachers shared, Landry wanted to be a super hero, so much so, that he dressed up as one on career day at school. I can think of nothing more heroic than providing hope, and the gift of life to another human being. 

To that sweet little brown eyed boy Landry, I will miss seeing you light the candles at church with that huge grin of pride on your face. I will miss seeing you run around everywhere at church. I will miss hearing your sweet voice singing loudly from that pew. I will miss you wanting to lead the songs and dances during VBS. We are all better people by simply knowing you and being a small part of your life.  Love you kiddo. 

I leave you with this verse, which brings hope. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.