It’s hard to believe January is over. We certainly packed the month full – work, school, the kids surgeries, starting Kayleigh’s foundation, writing… It’s been crazy, but good crazy. We’ve had mostly good days, but hard times slip in unexpectedly from time to time. Thankfully, God is always good to help us weather the storm and get back on track.
Looking back, I know the only way we have been able to survive these past months is our faith. Not just because we believe in God, but because we have seen God do amazing things. Not only do we believe God is good, but we have seen Him BE good. Our every need has been met. Our prayers have been answered beyond our wildest dreams. That statement might cause you to check up a little bit, because you know we prayed in earnest for God to heal Kayleigh. And while that was one of our most ardent prayers, we also prayed for God to do what was best for Kayleigh. We asked God to show us His plan and help us walk in it. And He did.
I miss Kayleigh every minute of every day. But even all of those minutes are just a fraction of a drop in the vast bucket of eternity. And while I do miss her terribly, I know where she is. I know that she has received her reward. She lived her life in the most purple of fashions and now she gets to reside for the rest of time in perfection. That’s not a bad deal. That does leave me missing her, but as a parent I always want what is best for my child, and what is better than perfect healing when you are sick?
This verse continues to give me peace every day.
Isaiah 57:1
57 Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.
Do you see that last line? “God is protecting them from the evil to come.” I have no idea what evil that would have been, but I do know that I am glad she didn’t have to endure it. As bright, beautiful, and spunky as she was, Kayleigh always felt fragile to me. I was always a little more worried about her. She just wasn’t as sturdy. But now I know why I felt that way, even then, God was preparing my heart.
So as I muse over Kayleigh’s #livepurple, faith is a very large component. Faith is our foundation. It’s the reason we haven’t been shaken. It doesn’t mean the days aren’t hard, it just means the hard is easier to bear. It means we don’t carry the burden alone. Faith makes something beautiful from these ashes.
Isaiah 61:3
3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
I pray we will be oaks, planted for God’s glory.
Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜
God makes all things beautiful in His time and in His way
