In the Death of a Child...

A few years ago, some close friends of ours, the Webb Family, lost their daughter, Phoebe, after only 4 short days of life. In a recent sermon, we were challenged in the Word to be thankful in all circumstances. This is Marie’s response to that sermon…

“I encourage you to have the guts. Have the guts to thank Him in all things. Phoebe has made such a lasting impression on me. At times, my heart feels as if it's being eaten up and there's a giant hole there. Tears still come when I think about her, when I think about losing her. It has been hard in recent weeks as I feel like the days are rolling by so fast. I want to dig my heels in and just be frozen in time right now. Her birthday is right around the corner and sadly that means the day of her death is not far behind either. On April 20th we will celebrate her 4 little days of life...two years now. I can't believe time has blown by so quickly. And I look back on that time where I was "sleeping," devoid of any feeling in the beginning of my grief only to be awakened with anger! I was so angry!!! I can look back on that time and just cry and be thankful all over again for God's good grace and mercy. By far that has been the biggest heartbreak and hardest time in my life, though I by no means believe the rest of my life will be a bed of ease. Trials are still on the horizon. But I do know that through everything that has happened thus far, He has held fast to me. I need His mercies every second, every minute, every hour, every day! He saves me daily. I am so in love with my Lord. He has truly held me up when I should have fallen hard. Am I thankful for having to lose Phoebe? Well, I am grateful for having her. I am grateful for the struggles that I overcame and am overcoming with the help of the Lord. I may not understand why it all had to happen that way, why the Lord allowed it...but still I praise Him. With tears I praise my God and give thanks. Tears that have heartache and sadness and emptiness....but also filled with trust and love and joy! Yes, joy! I am thankful for the struggles because I began to know the character of God more. And He is so good!”