Isn't it funny how we all get into such a routine, that life can just spin us unexpectedly? Our wonderful preacher had given us a sermon last week on getting "Jack out of the box." I know that when you hear such a sermon, it really hits each of us all in a different way, so here is my nickle--
Once, not too long ago, I was stuck in my box. In my box, I was petty, picky, and worried about the little things. I worried about things that GOD told me not to. I would give my troubles to him, then take them back on a daily basis. Because in my box, although I was living for him, things just kept bouncing right back at me.
This last week our cousin, Terry, passed away. He died doing what seems to be the thing he loved the best, fishing with his nephew and son. A terrible unexpected loss to our family at such a young age. So when Jaque came in from class, I told her about what had happened. I told her about brother Jason's sermon, and we talked for a while.
Although she was not incredibly close to Terry, she loves all of her family deeply. She said, you know mom, you never really can tell what God has in store. She shared with me a recent conversation that she had with a guy at a party. She said that he was wanting to know about her accident, so she was telling him all about it. She was talking about all the memories that we have and she doesn't. She the referenced back to Terry and shared the following:
"You know mom, the day before uncle CJ passed, I spoke with him on the phone. I was so excited to see him, and he and I were making plans on what we were going to do together the next day." She said that later the next day after being at a college recruiting day for softball, she and Chris were headed home, and she just kept talking about what they were going to do. She said then Chris pulled over on the shoulder of the road and told her what had happened. She explained to me how she had struggled with missing CJ so bad. She then reminded me that when she woke up from her accident I had immediately asked her what she had been doing. She told Chris and me that she had been fishing with CJ and GOD.
Let me repeat myself.....She told Chris and me that she had been fishing with CJ and GOD. Talk about out of the box. What a wonderful job that Kay and Larry did with CJ, in that in the roughest point of her life, HE was waiting to calm her. He was there to send her back.
Jaque said, mom, you never know why God needed Terry. But he needed him right then.
Much like CJ, there has never been a box that could contain Jaque. She has been one to make her own rules, and refuses to live under any type of "normal". She has paved her own way in all that she has done. Strong willed, and at a party telling a young man about GOD. If just for a moment, he heard her story.
I told Jaque late one night that I should have had her in church more. I told her that I hoped that she would keep her kids involved in youth. Then she told me "Mom, you did a great job with me. You and dad are the best parents ever." AWWW, yes I know. She said that she knew the blessing that God had given her, and now she was just finding her way.
Jaque is enrolled at SEOSU in Idabel. She is currently taking 10 hours. She is also going to therapy, to the river, bow fishing, lakin', four wheeler riding, dancing at the 'big rock', riding her bike, and anything else she can get herself into. Oh, and that was just last week.
She said that they were at the lake on Saturday, and she was in the water floating, and Eddie was on the bank. He kept swimming out, and pulling her in closer. over and over, she would drift out, and he would come and get her and bring her back in. Guess Eddie is like God, in that he wants us close to him so that he can protect us. He needs us close enough to reach in an emergency.
Today, I am praying for Terry's son Billy, and nephew Trevor. They were with Terry with this happened. May God touch their lives in such a way that they know how our family loves them.
I also pray for my mother in law Kay. She has just done a wonderful remodel on her house, we love you momma Kay. For my parents, hold steady to your faith, and get ready for the blessings God has in store for you.
My family, Terry's sisters and mom.......in the darkest storms that come against you, there is a light. At times it may seem faint, and far away. But God is always listening, he is ever present. The power of prayer is an amazing thing. Because Terry is gone from this earth, it does not mean that he will quit being a part of your lives. He will continue to help mold Trever and Billy. And now that he is in a higher place....he will have a better view. Hold hard to your faith, and harder to each other. Much love.
One last thing...on Friday, I posted a prayer request for Cindy Williams. A coworker or Chris's wife. She was told that she had a very serious brain anyurism and that she had to be back at Little Rock on Monday, for surgery Tuesday. Then did a few tests and sent her home for a quiet weekend. So they called the prayer chains, and we all started praying. Well........ we got news on our way home yesterday that the doctor from Little Rock called her back. That the initial test did not match the follow up testing. That there was no anyurism there. That there was no need for surgery.
An non christian would say that the DR messed up on the testing. A true christian would say that between the first test and the second, we prayed. And that God healed this woman. Yes, he is a miracle worker. Chris told one of his co-workers about the surgery, and said that , man--we know from Jaque that a lot can change between Friday and Monday. WAS HE EVER RIGHT. Praise God for you all praying, and Praise him for his mighty healing hand.
