It saddens me to use "A Funeral and an Anniverary" for the title of this post. You see, on February 7, 2013, my sister went home to be with our Lord. That morning, my father called me about 6AM to tell me my sister had passed away. Then he gave me the good news, her new daughter, Elizabeth, is alive and at Cook Children's Hospital in Ft Worth.
I had a hard time gathering my thoughts as I walked into our bedroom to wake Dianne up and let her know that my sister had passed away. We drove my parents to Ft Worth to be with my brother-in-law and my two nieces. We met my brother-in-law at the hospital and went to the third floor to see baby Elizabeth. She was 7 lbs 2 oz and 19 1/2" long, had more wires connected to her than Apple Computer's IT room, and beautiful. (She is due to be released in the next few days and proclaimed healthy. YEA!)
Dianne and I drove my parents back to their home on February 10th. (My wife and I married on February 9, 2008.) Yes, we spent our anniversary with my family at a hospital. Not the most romantic of choices. We decided that we could celebrate our anniversary later that month because our family needed us right then. It is not about me, but what can I do for others. Mainly advancing the Kingdom and being the husband and father God called me to be.
Our pastor called early February 7th. He prayed for Elizabeth and our family and assured us the Lifelong Love Affair Simulcast by Jimmy & Karen Evans that Dianne & I were to facilitate at our church on February 8th & 9th would go on and he would facilitate the event for us if we did not make it back from Ft Worth. While Dianne and I were grieving about my sister's passing we knew that our mission on earth is not yet compete. Jesus told us to "occupy 'til I come". The word occupy means to do God's work until Christ returns. All I could think about was there are marriages still hurting and we must continue to help.
God really answered our prayers over the past several weeks. We saw Elizabeth getting healed, relationships grow, and we celebrated another anniversary.
The visitation and funeral for my sister was held in our home town. Over 550 people signed the book at her visitation. The funeral was huge in attendance. My sister's life had touched many people. She left a big hole where she once was. How big will your impact be when you are gone? What are you doing each day to ensure that your legacy will last with your children and the next generation? Make it huge!
What does this have to do with marriage? Or your marriage? Life is too short to be bickering, complaining, fighting or just mad at each other. Do whatever you have to do to have the marriage God designed for each of us. Your spouse and kids will thank you for it.
God Bless you and your marriage. Thank you for your prayers for Elizabeth and our family.
I had a hard time gathering my thoughts as I walked into our bedroom to wake Dianne up and let her know that my sister had passed away. We drove my parents to Ft Worth to be with my brother-in-law and my two nieces. We met my brother-in-law at the hospital and went to the third floor to see baby Elizabeth. She was 7 lbs 2 oz and 19 1/2" long, had more wires connected to her than Apple Computer's IT room, and beautiful. (She is due to be released in the next few days and proclaimed healthy. YEA!)
Dianne and I drove my parents back to their home on February 10th. (My wife and I married on February 9, 2008.) Yes, we spent our anniversary with my family at a hospital. Not the most romantic of choices. We decided that we could celebrate our anniversary later that month because our family needed us right then. It is not about me, but what can I do for others. Mainly advancing the Kingdom and being the husband and father God called me to be.
Our pastor called early February 7th. He prayed for Elizabeth and our family and assured us the Lifelong Love Affair Simulcast by Jimmy & Karen Evans that Dianne & I were to facilitate at our church on February 8th & 9th would go on and he would facilitate the event for us if we did not make it back from Ft Worth. While Dianne and I were grieving about my sister's passing we knew that our mission on earth is not yet compete. Jesus told us to "occupy 'til I come". The word occupy means to do God's work until Christ returns. All I could think about was there are marriages still hurting and we must continue to help.
God really answered our prayers over the past several weeks. We saw Elizabeth getting healed, relationships grow, and we celebrated another anniversary.
The visitation and funeral for my sister was held in our home town. Over 550 people signed the book at her visitation. The funeral was huge in attendance. My sister's life had touched many people. She left a big hole where she once was. How big will your impact be when you are gone? What are you doing each day to ensure that your legacy will last with your children and the next generation? Make it huge!
What does this have to do with marriage? Or your marriage? Life is too short to be bickering, complaining, fighting or just mad at each other. Do whatever you have to do to have the marriage God designed for each of us. Your spouse and kids will thank you for it.
God Bless you and your marriage. Thank you for your prayers for Elizabeth and our family.
