Today I saw God. Or at least God in action. I witnessed a young mom sit before a camera and record messages to each of her children saying goodbye. It’s hard to put into words what went thru my head. First and foremost – wow. She was so eloquent. She spoke to the camera like each of her 5 children was sitting at her feet. She gave them wisdom, encouraged them to grow to be Godly men and women, to marry Godly spouses, to care for one another and most importantly to love God. Wow. I kept thinking over and over, “This is grace.” Not the grace we speak of as Christians, but grace in the form of beauty, elegance and charm. There are moments in your life you will always remember, moments to be cherished … this was one for me. I felt honored, humbled and totally unworthy to witness this beauty.
I am not sure why we need to make everything about us, but I guess its human nature. As I try to come alongside this family, I can’t help relating it to my own life. My friend is dying from brain cancer. I took care of my mother for 9 months as she battled brain cancer. The similarities are striking, so I have to keep reminding myself that every journey is different. My mother was 60, my friend is 30. My mother was a strong, fiercely independent woman but with a soft heart and warm spirit. I can easily say the same about my friend. The difference comes in that my father died before she did and she left behind two grown daughters. The loss still left a huge hole but as adults we have different comprehension, different understanding and more memories to cling to. My friend is 30. Her husband is young. Her children are young. She is young.
The other difference and I guess the thing that struck me the most as I watched her record her messages is her profound and I truly mean profound faith. I consider myself strong in faith. I don’t doubt God. I walk in obedience. I serve when called. I abide in Him. And, yet I heard my friends words to her husband, to her children, to her family….I was truly humbled. I felt as if I was witnessing something that went so much deeper than what I can understand. God is with her, right now, right here…guiding her, comforting her, bringing her peace. He is there in all His strength and all His glory bringing her home. Though the pain in her husband’s eyes, the confusion in her children’s faces is heartbreaking, it is both reassuring and an honor to witness her journey and the legacy she will leave with her children. And wow is such a weak response but sometimes it is all you can say…
i can't think of this family without crying. thank you for sharing this, because everyday when I pray for them I can't help but ask God why, why Barb, the kids, Tony ??? Heartbreaking. But when you write that God is with her, that her faith is so strong, and her strength, its amazing to see God.. Thank you for sharing. May God bring them all peace and understanding. We love you guys and are praying for you..
ReplyDeleteOnce again this family is reaching out to my very core and making me feel so fragile and small. How can I ever complain about anything in my life when this family is enduring so much? I know this family. I've seen this family in action. I've been with this husband and wife at events and marvelled at their love and strength. If there is a way for others to see and know God's love it is through their story. I push back tears when I think of their pain and heartache. I can't do anything to ease it and therefore feel helpless. Your post reminds me that it's about God's love and how easily I forget He provides the strength for all - not only the family but for the others like me who seek His guidance when questions need answered. I'm thinking of you and praying for you always.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for posting this about my beautiful daughter. i know it was something very important for her to do! very hard but none the less had to be done. i have been blessed through her journey to have been able to meet so many wonderful people and come a "little" closer to God and to see His wonderous works through her! she has no clue how many people's lives she has touched as she has endured this journey a true journey of faith and love for her Lord and knowing that she can surrender her whole being to Him and know everything is the way it should be and her family are in His loving arms at all times and He will provide!
ReplyDeleteit is a comfort to read all of these kind and heartfelt words and i know they will be a comfort and a legacy for her children and husband! thank you!
Barbara T. says that she has been on this journey with Barbara for three years. She is in our Military Wives Growth Group. It has provided a safe place to cry and to "vent." I don't want to give the impressions that we sit around crying and complaining--there is a lot of laughter. Barb is so funny and many times the stories of her children have us cracked up. It has been wonderful to see how God has been with Barbara and her family. I am so glad that she has had the time to make the video. We will miss her. That will be a sad day, but it will also be a glad day when we have to say goodbye. But Jesus is the resurrection and the life and I have the assurance that Barbara will be waiting to greet me when it is my time to pass over. God bless you and Mick for coming along side of them.
ReplyDeleteBarbara is a gift to us all. Her strength and unwavering faith is an inspiration beyond words.
ReplyDeleteYou are truly an angel. Someone to be trusted and loved to facilitate Barb's unconditional love, strength and wisdom to her family. As we all ponder why and how this could happen to such a faithful woman, wife and mother -- she shows us the way. While we hurt, she show us strength. She is my hero. Her legacy will always and in all ways live through her children and Tony. I met her through the Covina Yellow Ribbon Program and was honored to host the entire family one Saturday afternoon. What a joy and inspiration. I have been blessed. Peace be with you all.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could express how much this family means to me. I may not have been a big part of their family, and heck, I could just be someone who they just consider an acquaintance, but they have had a huge impact on my life. For months, I have been worried about Tony and his children, because I know that Barbi is his glue. It is evident how much they mean to each other. I wish I had as much faith as they have, I strive to have as much happiness they have. I can honestly say I have prayed to switch places with her, if I could take away her pain and allow their amazing family to always be together I would..even though I would be leaving behind a family too. I keep praying the Lord watch over them, protect them, and help them. Barbi and Tony are two people I will never forget no matter where I am in life.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord says he will never give us anymore than we can handle! This family has amazing strength God bless all of you!
ReplyDelete