Hey, everybody. I so often wish you could meet the stellar women I get to serve alongside at Living Proof, especially because they serve this blog community every workday in one way or another. They are such incredible women of God and slack-jawing graces to this former pit-dweller. I want you to meet one of them today and hear her very moving story. If you’ve ever mailed a letter to Living Proof, in all likelihood, you have been touched by her. Nancy Mattingly is one of the best friends I have in this world. We have known one another for thirty years, our paths crossing often then ultimately converging in ministry. When we were very young moms, she’d come to my home once a month for a prayer breakfast with other women just like us and we’d sit cross-legged on that den floor, our Bibles wide-open, and seek Jesus with everything we had. We are both fitness junkies. She bikes and runs. I wear out an elliptical and hike. We’re both teachers by trade and by calling. We love music and we love it loud.
Nancy heads up correspondence at Living Proof Ministries. She heads it up because I hand-chose her. And I did so because she is wise and warm and wonderful and witty and compassionate and strong and loving. You cannot know her and miss being touched by her. The gift she has been to me is beyond estimation. My heart fell into my feet in ministry when I realized that the letters and needs filling up our LPM mailbox were more than one person could manage. I wanted to respond personally to the women who wrote in. I wanted them to know I’d heard their stories. I wanted to pray for them in response letters and give them verses that might resonate with their circumstances and challenges. I came to a point that I flat-out could not keep up with the correspondence and still write and teach Bible studies. I needed someone I could trust to the bone to head up that crucial position here at LPM.
And that was Nancy. She has cried with you, laughed with you, written you, prayed for you, pored over every word you’ve mailed to this address, and shared many of your stories with me and with our staff. I love her so much. And you would love her, too. We have been through so much together as a ministry staff. We rejoice together and weep together, laugh till our sides split together and bawl our eyes out together. We have each had several turns being the one who needed rallying around the most. We’ve stood by one another through such a variety of things that I wouldn’t know where to stop a list of categories. But we, as a staff of very close friends, have never been through anything harder than the story you are about to hear. I can hardly type these words to you without crying. I knew that one day – and sooner than later – Nancy would share this story because I know the woman of God she is. I knew God would be outrageously glorified. I knew that this would turn back on the devil and make him sorry he messed with her and her family. And so it begins.
Please meet one of the dearest people on earth to me and to all of us here at Living Proof. This is our friend, Nancy. She has a story to tell you because we at this ministry have not had the luxury of naivetĂ©. We have hurt. And we know that you have hurt. And, because of Jesus, we have hope. And we want you to have hope. We believe that our stories and journeys have been entrusted to us so that we can do what we’ve been called to do: serve women. Serve you. So, today, this is how we will do it.
From Nancy:
Late in 2013, I was compelled to find a particular sign I’d seen a while back. I really didn’t understand why, but just knew I wanted it for our family. I needed it. It simply said “it is well with my soul”. I bought the very last one the store had, brought it home, placed it on the hearth, and announced to my people, “this is our word for 2014.”
Little did I know how much I would need that reminder.
Every day.
January 28th, 2014 was a day that we will never forget, getting the news that our beloved firstborn son had taken his own life. And just like that, he was gone. And we had so many questions that will not be answered this side of heaven.
I can’t even put into words what shock we were in. Disbelief. Pain. My husband and I were at home that day, while all of Houston was shut down for an “ice storm” that never really came to fruition. Our Living Proof Tuesday night Bible study was cancelled for that evening.  Otherwise, I would have been right there serving with my coworkers. Looking back on it, the cancellation was such a personal gift from Jesus because it put me home with my man where we received the news together. We had just finished some chicken and wild rice soup, and were watching a movie.
The doorbell rings, and I go to answer it.
Two policemen were at our door asking for my husband. (You would typically think something terrible immediately, seeing police at your door, however I didn’t, as we had been dealing with the police in the last month over a stolen bicycle. So, for some reason, I thought it had to do with the bike, and cheerily welcomed them in.) It was then that they told us the devastating news of Kyle.
No words.
“If Your revelation hadn’t delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came.” Psalm 119:92, The Message
Shock can begin immediately and with a vengeance. And it did. We both had such severe issues, but tried to listen to all the police were telling us. Once they left, I remember that we sat on the couch, held hands, and my very strong husband prayed. Oh, how we needed Jesus! In that moment, and in the days to come….
And He was there.
He supernaturally held us through the longest of days and nights.
Through the terrible phone calls to our other children, all living out of town.
Through arranging international travel to get our daughter home from Hong Kong where she had moved just 2 weeks earlier to nanny some children of special missionary friends.
Through the pacing and the arranging and the decisions and the deep desire to go to bed. Then we’d finally get there only to lay there, unable to sleep.
But God Was There.
Whatever kind of believer you are before tragedy happens, you get to decide again after the tragedy: do I believe? And the answer for me was absolutely yes. I had nowhere else to go but my Jesus.
“This I know: God is for me.” Psalm 56:9
People are interesting, especially in the ways they process crises. Some trickled into our home as the news spread. Even in the midst of the first few hours of our new reality, we were able to find humor. And since humor is best shared, I had a dear, beloved life-long friend with whom to share it. We got bent-over tickled over one specific incident, and I realized even then that it was just another grace gift from the Lord. It was a brief respite from the overwhelming grief.
And it set the tone of the year, where we would dance:Â between the waves of deepest grief, and the pockets of joy.
I also found that, throughout my grief, I had to balance my sadness and loss, my overwhelming sense of failure as a mother, and my fear and anxiety for my family
WITH
the obvious care and tending the Lord was doing, the gratitude I had in all that He had given us through our children, and especially through Kyle himself.
I thanked Him for the gift of 32 years with my son. I was grateful, so grateful, for the outlandish gifts my other children were to me. I marveled at this man I had been married to for 34 years and at his ability to articulate all that we were going through. And, I was actually able to see that my son, my beautiful son, was free from what had tormented him.
I could certainly praise my Jesus for that.
Oh, but the loss! And the sheer gut-wrenching longing that he would have received the help so eagerly offered him instead of deciding to be finished…
“I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and will worship the Lord.” Psalm 116:17
Can I tell you a bit about my son?
He was a delight from his first moments of breath on this planet. He was full of energy, and when I say “full”, I mean over-the-top action all the time. He took me out of my comfort zone in those first years with his outgoing personality and zest for life. He’d talk to every person we passed during our days of doing life together while I would tend to be quieter and shyer. Oh, but not Kyle. He ran hard after everything that delighted him. And made some noise doing it. He had such a generous heart and an impish grin that really did let you know trouble was coming. School became a mix of many victories and many areas to work on. Though he was definitely high maintenance, he was also highly entertaining. And the joy, oh mercy, the joy! We knew a full measure of joy with this son of ours, and at the same time, we knew our desperate need of Jesus, too.
That truly became our story later in his adult years. While, on the one hand, we watched God give him such beautiful opportunities to share his love of the outdoors with others, we also saw such a need for Jesus to rescue him from his depression and sadness in his last several years. Kyle was a mountain man… a very successful mountain guide, ice climber, avalanche educator, and, in the slower months and on the side, he did rope-access work on those huge windmills. He was well-respected in every capacity.
Gosh, even today, the loss can overwhelm me…
“For He Himself is our peace.” Ephesians 2:14
Early on in the loss of Kyle, I made a deliberate decision not to hide. To be honest, I truly wanted to hide but even more so I wanted to see God glorified through some measure of this grief. So, I would post a picture or two on various social medias and share some words. I would do anything to keep some other mother from this kind of devastation but I don’t begin to know how.  What I can do, however, is just trust God to work through my willingness to share. He alone can make anything good out of this story. I realized early on in our loss, that as hard as my husband and I worked to help Kyle – to encourage him and guide him and certainly to love him – that he was an adult and made his own decisions.
While I never, ever would have chosen this story for my precious family, I do get to choose what I do with it. And I get to praise my Jesus. I get to believe Him, even if I’m overwhelmingly sad, grieving, or undone. Bless His holy name.
Thank you for understanding that many aspects of our experience, we simply think are too sacred, too private for sharing or discussing. But what I can say is this: if someone you love is isolating himself/herself, do everything in your power to reach out to the person and pull him/her back into a safe circle of loved ones. I have seen the damage done by the enemy when he draws people in crisis away from their safe place, their safe people. Of course, we did do everything we knew to do in our own circumstance. Just looking back, I so wish I could have changed this outcome.
*May I just enter a note here to those of you who are personally dealing with deep depression, mental illness, chaos in your home or a lack of hope for any reason? Please seek help. And continue to get it. Don’t isolate yourself. Believe those who love you when they tell you how valuable and wonderful you are and how much you have to offer. Listen to them and not just to your own thoughts. Trust Jesus. Make plans for tomorrow. Dare to hope.
Do. Not. Do. This. Devastation.To. Your. People.
God has a plan. For you. And it’s good.
“I say: the Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:24
I really cannot tell my story without the obvious truth that without God, Jesus, and His Word, I would have been a literal mess. (Of course many days I was, and am, still a mess, even with Him.) And I can’t talk about my faith walk without telling you that Beth and I have been friends for 30 years, and truly, no one on this planet has helped me in my faith journey more than she has. She truly has taught me how to do life as a Christ-follower. By watching her, studying with her, living my life around her life, I have gleaned such treasures of the kingdom. And I am so grateful. (Understatement of the year) Her hard pursuit of Christ, and her lavish love of her Savior have encouraged me, and strengthened me, and I am quite sure compelled me to want the same. My love of Jesus, and people, is spurred on by hers. And if I said thank you every day for the rest of my life, it would not be enough. (I know many of you feel the same way about her and what she has meant to your faith life.) Beth, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you! My heart beats even stronger for Jesus because of you, and I cannot imagine my life without Him, or you. Thank you for caring so deeply for our loss, and hurt. And thank you so much for letting me tell a bit of our story here. What a grace gift. We do not want this to be our story, but since it is, we want the Lord to receive all the glory for what He’s done. For Who He is. Thank you for the space to do just that.
If I may, and with Beth’s complete support and agreement, I just want to address a thought or misconception I have heard from time to time: that, if you are in ministry like Beth is, or work with someone as wonderful as my coworkers, you have no problems. Or, at least, that is what some people have suggested throughout the years. Often people ask how wonderful it is to work here. Don’t get me wrong, it truly is. These people at Living Proof Ministries are my family and I dearly love each and every one. We have had so many blasts together. However, being in full-time ministry certainly does not negate any troubles coming your way. All of us here at Living Proof have them. We have heartbreaks and disappointments and burdens just like you do. Ministry does not add a bonus protective-coating on you and your family. It does not mean that you or your loved ones won’t go through the pit of deep despair. I wish it meant that you won’t ever live out your worst nightmare, but it doesn’t. P R A Y for your Bible teachers, your church leaders, your pastors, your ministry teams, worship leaders! Honestly, when you think of them, pray for them! I know it would mean so much to them. You have no idea what they may be suffering privately.
 “On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me.” Psalm 138:3
I still have so many questions, so few answers…..yet, I can rest in what I do know, what I am sure of:
*God is faithful. He has been in the past, and He will be in the future. So that must mean He is faithful today as well. With Him, I can do today.
*God has been so very near to us. (And I pray the same for you and your family, no matter what you are going through, that His presence with you will be palpable.) And, at times, when I do not feel Him near?  I know without a doubt that He’s still here with me.
*God’s Word still remains. And is for us in every circumstance. Not one Scripture fell off the page. It stands secure.
*God has never left us nor forsaken us. And I have found that, no matter what, I get to trust Him.
“Give the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” Psalm 29:2
Looking back, I can’t really believe we have survived. Truthfully, I’m not sure how we did, except Jesus. (Side note here: the Body of Christ – and community –  is a beautiful thing, especially in times of loss and devastation. Our people came from far and wide to help us, support us, and just grieve with us. Our deepest thanks to each and every person who supported us and prayed for us in these challenging times, sent cards, brought food, texted, emailed, phoned…)
We still miss our son every day. Every Single Day. Some days the pain is too deep for words. But our perspective now is more eternal than ever before. In our ordinary lives, we have this glimpse of eternity, with our son waiting on the other side, and we long for that. And we long for Him: our Jesus. And He is the Only One to satisfy that longing. Let Him do that for you today.
“for You are their magnificent strength…” Psalm 89:17
Thank you for listening. We at LPM care so very much for each of you and truly want to see you find full freedom and victory in Jesus. No matter what comes your way, choose Him. He is so very faithful.
With Love,
Nancy
Nancy,
Thank you for trusting us with your story. I am so sorry for your loss. I remember meeting you at the first SSMT Celebration and will never forget how precious you were. I did not know what had happened, but the Lord has brought you to my mind many times over the past year to pray for you. I love how you listed the things that “you are sure of”, those words are so encouraging to me.
I will continue to pray He overwhelms you with His grace.
Much love to you & everyone at LPM,
I appreciate you all so much!
Kelly
thank you, Kelly, and thank you so much for praying as the Lord led….i have no doubt that the Lord heard you, and answered. Appreciate your kind words, and praying blessings over you.
Oh Dear Nancy,
One never knows what is behind a smiling face or voice do we??
I suffered from a deep depression for 13 yrs and several times contemplated taking my own life. I just wanted out of life I was through with it. Counseling was not helping neither were tons of antidepressants and mood stabilizing drugs. I was buying into Satan’s lies that I would reach more people through my death than I ever would through my life.
A neighbor started a home Bible study so I decided to be a part of it and slowly I got better. Yes, I was a Jesus follower all my life. Just because you suffer from mental illness does not make you lost in the sight of Jesus. It was midway through the study on Daniel of Beth’s that something resonated in me and I can not for the life of me tell you what, I just got better. Slowly I dumped the pills and no longer needed therapy. When I visited with my psychiatrist later he could see a difference in me and I told him it was Jesus that did it! Not everyone is miraculously saved from this dread disease but I was. I can only imagine the guilt you must have had as I believe everyone who deals with suicide in their family or close friends must feel there had to be something they could have done to stop it. Often there is not. Taking your life is not the unpardonable sin. If those thinking of it though would realize the incredible pain they inflect on those who love them it should be enough to stop them but that again often does not. If your son was a believer you will see him again. I pray you know that. Please take this note as a warm hug from someone who struggled with this same thing. Some day we will have a talk about it when we reach our Heavenly home.
Bless you Dear, I see your sweet face often and I am not sure that I might have talked with you when calling LP ministries a time or two. Maybe not but I did write a note to Beth at one point so you most likely read my letter.
Your letter may reach someone who really needs to hear this and for the rest of us we are here to give you hugs and assure you of God’s love!
In His great love,
Betty
Betty, thank you for sharing your own experience, and glory to God yours ended differently! Yes, my son did know Jesus, we WILL INDEED see him again! We are so thankful for that assurance. God bless you and your courage to share.
Nancy –
Thank you. You are brave to share and sweet to let us meet and remember Kyle with you. My soul is literally aching for this loss. It hurts a momma’s heart deep.
I honestly wasn’t going to respond b/c I thought I’d blow it… probably still will… but couldn’t risk NOT letting you know how deeply your whole post touched me.
2 brief things:
First: This very morning in our Bible Study group a mom with grown kids genuinely shared her gratefulness that, while they’ve made their mistakes, they love the Lord so she’s pretty happy with that. This was a valid and shared praise! But there are others in our community who have buried a child and others whose prodigal kids were raised with equally sold-out-for-Jesus moms. Pain. And Jesus is enough for them to still sing praise – and they do.
Second: I had the privilege of working for a para-church Bible Study ministry with global reach for about a year before becoming a mom. The stories and hardships represented in that pocket of real-life people serving Jesus would make folks’ jaws drop. Your candidness brought back memories of the kind of fellowship we shared there. Thanks.
And, yes, the way God has used Beth’s ministry around this home has been astounding. Love, love, love and comfort to you and yours. Had to let you know you’ve touched me lots.
Oh, Jennifer, thank you for sharing…I’m blessed to hear from you. God bless you as you love and serve Him.
Thank you so much for sharing your story Nancy. And I am one Siesta that you have responded to in the past! 🙂 I also don’t know how I would do this life without my God and Jesus helping me through the storms of this life! I am grateful He is there ALL the time! Prayers for you and your family and thankful for Beth and this blog to connect us and give us Hope in our low times. May God continue to give you His strength and love.
Hi, Colette, good to hear from you. Appreciate your prayers so much.
Thank you so much for your words of inspiration and encouragement. I am so sorry for the loss of your precious son. Our family knows all too well what severe depression and mental illness looks like.
Precious Nancy,
Sitting here reading more about the devastating loss of your precious son, tears are falling non-stop from my eyes. Your love for Jesus, your family & others is so evident. I know that you wouldn’t be able to get through this without the power of the Word, prayer and support from the Christian community!! Thank you for being so vulnerable. May He bring Hope & Healing to those struggling, knowing that’s your heart’s desire.
Getting to know you thru LPM has been such a joy for me. Your words are tender, filled with love & sprinkled with all the Jesus has to offer. You are a role model precious one, don’t ever forget that.
I will continue to pray for you & your family. May the loss become more bearable as Jesus begins healing your tender heart. You’re important to me & this community.
With lots of love,
Michelle
thank you, Michelle, you are an encouragement for sure. God bless you for your kindness.
Nancy, what a beautiful post. The strength of Jesus just drips through, with each sentence. I can barely type through my tears, but want to say how appreciative I am of your bravery in telling your story. I especially loved the line that “we get to choose how we will respond.” So true. So hard, sometimes. But with Jesus, it will only, finally, be beautiful.
Love you sister ~
thank you so much.
Amen!!!!
Nancy, such a beautifully written testimony of God’s faithfulness to your family in the darkest of times. Thank you for honestly sharing and giving hope to so many. I forgot that Kyle was only two years younger than me…he was 12 when I started “babysitting” your kids and I know he didn’t need me there. But I’m so glad to have known each of your kids and you! You are a precious family!
Melissa! Oh, wow, such a blessing to see you here!! Thank you for your sweet words, and for your bravery as a young teen to take on my crew for a few hours! Would love to see you when you are visiting your parents, think that would be possible? love you.
Nancy,
I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Praying for you and your family. So many things resonated with me in what you shared. You are right, we never know what struggle someone might be going through in their lives. I can testify that God stands with us and gives us strength when we need it. He has for my family the last two years since the loss of my father and taking care of our mother with dementia and brain cancer. There are days we don’t think we can make it but God always brings exactly what we need. Praying God’s continued strength and comfort over you and your family.
Much love to you and all at LPM.
Patty, I’m so sorry for your recent loss and challenge with your mom. Truly. It’s just too much at times, isn’t it? But God. But God. He is our hope. Praying for you right now.
Nancy,
I have received notes from you at LPM and appreciate your wonderful service. Thank you for sharing your story and your pain. Our family suffered a devastating loss this past week and the love of God and the people in the church are such a tremendous help.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well with my soul.
Sarah, I’m so sorry for your loss. I am praying for you right now. May God be so very near to you and yours.
Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for sharing your son with us.
Thank you for being brave enough to share that. Sometimes I feel like I have the short stick and someone shows that their’s isn’t any longer but we are still beloved and called to a good purpose. Blessing over your life and added strength for the journey.
thank you so much, Jessica.
Nancy, Thank you so much for sharing and putting words to my feelings of recent days. The Lord is taking me through a season of profound loss and you have reminded me of all the true things about this magnificent Jesus who loves me. I am in hard pursuit of Him who gives me life and purpose and hope. Your words are great encouragement to me as I journey through this time. I will pray for you and your family whenever you cross my mind. God bless you dear one! Love, Lynda
Lynda, so sorry for your season of loss. I pray God’s profound comfort on you, even now. May He be profoundly present with you, giving you courage and hope.
Dear Nancy
Thank you so much for sharing your story today in particularly. My son has suffered with the same problems since he was 15. He too is 32 and has been on my heart all day. or course I’ve prayed and reached out to him to make sure he knows how much he is loved by his people and most of all God, but he’s in his I’ll call you later Mom mode. I know that I can survive anything with Jesus as you have and I so appreciate you putting your story out there for all of us. Of course I am so very thankful for Beths teaching too. God sure changed me throughout her studies. I thank God for Lpm and all you do everyday. Love you all so much!
Twila, I understand what you are going through, for sure. I am praying for you right now, and for your son. “May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled up with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!” ~Romans 15:13
Nancy,
Thank you for sharing your story. I am sure you are just as beautiful and humble as your story is. You will never know the impact of women telling their stories of everyday life. Unpredictable, hurtful, shocking life. There is not a woman, I know, that doesn’t struggle with something. We (women) have come under the misconception that we are to perfect in everything that we touch and look absolutely beautiful while doing it. Plus, we must be lacking in some way if we tend to lose track of those things. That is a lie straight from the enemy. Sharing our struggles and heartaches, fears and doubts helps each other. Telling each other it’s ok to make mistakes. Encourage each other to lean on God because, as He’s word says, Nothing is impossible for God. He is enough. When we are empty He will fill us.
Thank you again Nancy.
thank you so much for your kind words, Dawn.
Like so many others I can’t thank you enough for sharing your story … my oldest also tried to take his life not once but three times .. it was during that time my husband learned the meaning of unconditional love and complete forgiveness of Christ .. I continue to pray Jesus will soften both their hearts and give them a desire to seek Christ as their King. … But in the mean time, I have a hunger to know the word of God like never before, I crave it. Beth’s studies (just finished James) have been the perfect blend of fun, emotion, uncovering of treasures I never knew before .. and now, teaching bible study myself … I’m so aware .. we often go through things that we might comfort others (and understand) like Christ comforts us …. So thankful for your ministry … your faith .. and your willingness to stand up and say .. being a Christ follower is just hard sometimes … but its not about here … It’s always been about HIM and THERE … HUGS all around
Lauri….I’m just stunned over your own story….I assure you, God sees you, and knows what your deepest prayers are for these two men of yours. I’m praying for them too, right now, just like you said you are praying….for their hearts to soften, and to desire to seek Christ. May He give you your heart’s desire so soon!
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I’m going through some hard times right now, and I was feeling especially despondent today. As I began reading about what you’ve been through and the scriptures that sustained you, the tears began to flow. Yes, our God is faithful. He is an ever-present help. The God of all comfort. Suddenly my mind is being flooded with all the truths I know about God, and my spirit is being lifted. Again, thank you for sharing.
Dear Kim,
I am praying for you right this moment.
Love,
Sherry
Kim, I am praying for you right now, that the Lord would indeed bring you through these hard times, with great victory! He loves you so much.
Nancy, thank you for sharing with us…my heart aches for you. I know you have been the one to receive my correspondence to Beth, and you have responded back to me on Beth’s behalf with such kindness and love…I will be praying for you…I want to share with you something that a lady from my church once told me after a few years long grieving process over the loss of her daughter in a car accident. She told me and a few others in a Bible study that she was teaching that when the news came, and the funeral, everything, holidays without her, everything, she could honestly say that God’s grace met her there. In each moment, every day…I can still see how serious her face was when she told us that…she wanted us to grasp the amazing grace God is able to impart to us in any circumstance. It encouraged me to hear that, and I pray it would encourage and comfort you too…
thank you, Katie, this is resonating with what we experienced as well. God truly was faithful, has been, and will be. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing about your precious son and life. One day, one sweet day…:)
Love and prayers to you and yours, Lisa
thank you so much, Lisa.
Thank you Nancy for sharing with a hope and faith that your family’s grief will open a window, unhinge a heart that needs to hear and know they are not alone. There is a peace in the storm only through Jesus, with Jesus. On a personal note, thank you for graciously letting me caress your soft curls whenever I saw you. The next time God blesses our path, I may not be able to stop the tears of a mother’s love as I see Kyle in the curls you shared and my mother’s heart mourns. I pray the Beatitude is a “yes” and you and all touched with mourning are comforted.
hi, Yanna, thank you for your sweet words.
Sweet Nancy, thank you for bravely sharing your story with us. I’m so sorry for the loss of your precious son. I rejoice with you in the compassionate love and care that our Lord has poured out on you and your family. You are an inspiration to all who meet you and I have to say that you’re the cutest thing ever. You never age!!! Love and hugs to you, dear friend.
Cheryl, you are kind, friend, thank you. (and personally, I’d like to point out that you have not aged! truly!) (oh, and that grand girl of yours?!! amazing….) much love to you.
Thank you for sharing. It was especially meaningful this week as March 27 will be 16 years since this was our family’s reality.
Yes – We still miss my brother every day. Every Single Day. Some days the pain is still too deep for words. But our perspective now is more eternal than ever before. In our ordinary lives, we have this glimpse of eternity, with my brother waiting on the other side, and we long for that. And we long for Him: our Jesus. And He is the Only One to satisfy that longing.
Amen.
Janet, so very sorry for your loss. Praying for you now on that day of remembrance. God bless you and keep you.
Nancy,
Thank you for sharing this.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I understand.
thank you, Mary. God bless you.
Thank you Nancy and Beth for sharing. Grieving with you in this devastating crisis and loss.. Thankful the LORD’s Presence and Help is with you and yours and you are choosing to trust, praise and glorify Him. Praying for you and for your family. I pray JESUS will truly carry you and be more real to you than ever before. I am so sorry….I truly am, my heart goes out to you!
Thank you for the kind responses, wisdom, CHRISTLIKE KINDNESSES and compassion you have shown in letters to me over the years. I have written many letters to Beth because she gave the TRUE HOPE of the GOSPEL and it seemed a safe place to share and I needed to share because I had NOT been accepted in my home church …LPM is the only ministry that I really connected with that gave me HOPE that the REAL GOSPEL does work: THAT JESUS HAS cleaned me, made me NEW (I really questioned this part) and gave me full forgiveness with a clear conscious (not because I am not guilty…I was and would always be except JESUS took my guilt at Calvary!) I had a hard time believing these truths and accepting myself and living the Gospel to myself and I sure was not experiencing acceptance from the Christian community. Your response letters were always helpful and timely and used of GOD to keep me going. Thank you very much for the Holy Spirit led ministry there at LPM and esp with the correspondence you graciously provided. I have been very helped by you Nancy. Thank you so very very much.
Thank you so much, Deborah, for your kind words. I do indeed remember you. May God be honored and praised for letting us join Him in His work!
Thank you Nancy for sharing your story, it really touched a place in my heart because I too have gone through something similar. In 2009, the day after Easter I got a call that my youngest daughter, Stefanie, had died. It was and still is devastating. If it wasn’t for Jesus, I would be in a crazy house because this is the hardest thing I have ever had to go through in my life. I praise God that He is faithful to me every day! I am sooo sorry that you lost your son and my heart breaks for you too.
I would really like to state and back Nancy up on the fact that if you are going through hard times….DONT isolate yourself! I did and it has taken me up until a few weeks ago to get myself back out there and back into life! Don’t get me wrong, the Lord has been with me every step of the way but it would have been much easier if I would have kept myself out there and also had someone take the time to keep me from crawling inside myself. Now I’m having to learn all over how to relate to people and not get caught in the fear of losing someone else that is precious to me. Praise the Lord He is breaking down that wall of fear but it is really a battle to do so! So please don’t isolate yourself, surround yourself with a good support group!
Kari, I’m so so sorry. Honestly. Without Jesus, crazy house. Agreed. Praying for you as you battle the fears and anxieties that so easily can become your thoughts after such a loss. But, dear one, please do battle them. Boss them! Tell them Who you belong to! Wrap your mind in the Word. May victory be yours.
You can bet your sweet bippy that I am doing battle! Got my sword and shield shined and am standing my ground! I have been in the Word day and night and am taking back the ground that I lost in the depression. I praise the Lord that He is moving in His perfect time and is control of all that pertains to my life! I just want you to know that you do have kindred spirits out there praying for you also Nancy. Thank you for your encouragement and kind words. Be blessed and always give God glory! Hallelujah
I could have typed your words too, Kari… I work from home, totally isolated, and it has been so beyond difficult. I am gradually putting one toe in the water, so to speak, and socially things are coming along. I am so sorry and empathize with you on your loss of your daughter, Stefanie. Losing a child, no matter their age, is indescribably painful. Yet, Jesus has the last word!
Hugs –
Amy
Hang in there Amy, God will give us victory! Always remember that in the end….WE WIN! Just keep stretching yourself and gradually do the work…He doesn’t expect us to do it all in one day and as long as we reach out and grab His hand, we will come through riding on His righteous, victorious hand and He will get the glory as He shines through you! ((((hugs)))
Nancy,
Thank you for sharing.
GOD is GOOD, Faithful.
GOD BLESS YOU and your family.
Thank you, Ingrid.
Oh Nancy. Tears.
Thank you for so eloquently, transparently sharing. Our God is made much of through your words. And the picture of Kyle! What an engaging grin. Thank you for sharing him with us.
so much love to you and your family…
Kathleen ❤️
thank you. so much.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I so resonate with what you have shared. Our oldest son attempted suicide two years ago. He was admitted to the hospital and slowly began his recovery. Oh how Jesus was with us through this journey. Thank you for your honesty.
Cindy…tears just sprung to my eyes at your testimony! Oh, what joy that he is recovering! Bless the Lord!
You are so brave to share this way. Thank you. Praying for comfort for your sweet heart!
Hannah, thank you.
Thank you very much for sharing this story. Depression and suicide run through my dad’s family. I lost an uncle to it and my grandmother attempted suicide twice. All of my siblings have had to face that demon. Ten years ago I called my parents when I was living abroad and told them something was wrong, but I couldn’t articulate how deep my depression had become. Later that day my mom took a break at work and started praying. She felt a desperation that led her to scream the prayers, startling passerby. At that moment (we compared times later) I chose not to take my life. The fog I was in cleared for a moment and I felt hope. But if I had chosen to never alert my parents to something being critically wrong, my mom may have never been given the chance to fight for me. It nearly takes my breath away realizing that my silence could have taken my life.
So now every time I hear about someone taking their life, it hits close to home. I have so much compassion for your son and the rest of your family. And it must be very hard sharing your story. Thank you for doing that. Being open about our pain can be healing and bring hope to other people. God bless you.
Becky, w o w…what a miracle! A true God thing! I am quite sure your story is what I often imagined ours could be. I am truly blessed to hear it is your reality. Thank you for sharing, and for your support. Let’s pray right now for others that are contemplating ending it, and plead for the Lord to save them! Oh, Lord, please rescue them from themselves!
Eleven days before you lost your precious son, my 22 year old daughter, my only child and best friend, was killed in a horrific car accident after a deer darted out in front of her. I’ve been a lost soul ever since. So angry. Angry at God, if I’m being perfectly honest.
For ten years prior to this, I suffered horribly with Lyme Disease. Lost my career and income, obviously my health, and eventually friends and family disappeared when I could no longer function like a normal person. My daughter was my rock throughout all of this. My biggest help and cheerleader. During this time ( around 2005 ) I was introduced to Beth’s bible studies and I didn’t walk, I RAN straight to Jesus. I hung on to every word from Beth’s mouth, poured over her many bible studies ( I did Believeing God three times ), and prayed so much I felt like I was making God’s ears hurt. I also became a regular reader of the LPM blog.
The hits continued coming and just would not let up. My daughter had begun being horribly bullied, and more than anything I’d ever suffered, this broke my heart the most. Tore me up. I stopped praying about my health and just made a deal with Jesus. I bargained, “If you just please help my daughter, help her make wise choices, lead her down the right paths, and bring her good friends who love you, help her win against these bullies, I will gladly stay sick for the rest of my life and I will never bother you again about my health ( I know…sounds so silly now ). I prayed this prayer about 1,000 times. Then I felt a nudge from the Lord to pray for her bully. I gnashed my teeth and squawked, “Noooooo! I am NOT praying for that girl!!! No way!” But I kept getting the same persistent nudge. “Pray for the girl bullying your child.” So I started praying and it totally started out so incredibly insincere, but then melted into the most heartfelt prayer for this girl, one like I’d just prayed for for my own child. I was on my knees in my yard,under the stars, praying and bawling for a girl who was so hateful to my child.
Then I BEGGED God to please heal my life. I was so tired. Tired of being ill, tired of hurting for my daughter, tired of all the hits that kept pounding our family. It was the most desperate prayer I think I ever prayed.
And two days later, my daughter was killed. Two….days.
I still just cannot believe it. To say I was wracked with anger, disbelief and hurt is an understatement. And I hate feeling this way. I truly hate it. I’ve prayed and prayed every single day since January 17, 2014 for God to PLEASE teach me how to continue trusting Him and praising Him after something like this. I don’t know how.
I’d previously read Chuck Swindoll’s book “Job”, and found comfort that (up until I lost my child, at least ) I didn’t have it as bad as Job did. Now? I’m actually a tad jealous of Job. God restored his family. I will never be blessed with children again on this side of heaven like Job was. Grandchildren will never call me Lovey. And, so far, He hasn’t chosen to restore my health, either.
Through social media, we ( I ) typically only see people praise God and remain faithful only when things are good or go their way. If someone is spared from an illness or accident, praise God! I have never seen someone who buried a child get on Facebook and post, “Praise God! God is so good!” ( I need to stop here and say that I know a few popular pastors have lost children, but if I’m still being honest, they have an image to maintain and can’t exactly announce to their church they are angry at God ).
I’m sorry for being so long winded, but it just poured out. I truly appreciate your post today and what you said has been refreshing. I don’t know why God said no when I prayed for health and healing and protection for my child. I don’t understand why he is still chosing to be silent. But much of what you wrote resonated with me and has helped. I’ve been asking God where the people are who still praise him after he asks us to give back our child, and here you are. I thank you for doing this and for the thought you put into it. You’ve given me much to think about on this lonely, confusing, heartbreaking journey of finding my way back.
Thank you for sharing your story, and please know I feel your hurt over the loss of your sweet boy.
Pam. I am speechless.
I hurt right now for your hurt. for your profound loss. for your disappointment. and I am praying right now that the God of all comfort, will indeed comfort you. and give you His peace. even in the midst of doubt, confusion, and hurt.
i am out of the office till Friday, but will email you then. thank you so much for writing, and sharing your pain. I know God will use your courage to share to bring about your healing.
n.
Pam, I’m paying in agreement with Nancy for you tonight.
Nancy, I cried through this entire article. My heart aches for your loss. I’m 27 and single, so I haven’t had the blessing of children of my own yet. But I’ve worked with kids and been around them my entire life. I’ve tutored a few kids that were on the verge of suicide, and I know I’ve never prayed so hard in my life as I did for those children. All of them found their hope renewed, and I thank God for that, but I can imagine how completely devastated I would have been if it had gone the other way. My heart aches at the thought, and it weeps for the deep loss you and your family have experienced. I pray the Lord Almighty continues to lift you up and bring you comfort on the days that the grief still overwhelms you. May you continue to share your story with the people God calls you to share it with, for you never know who He wants to touch through your experience. Perhaps there’s someone out there who needs to hear your story before they choose to reconnect with their loved ones. God will use this for His glory. I believe He already has in your telling of it, and I believe He will continue to do so. Nancy, I’m sending you huge hugs right now. I hope you can feel them.
God bless you, sister.
Andrea Cox
Howe, TX
P.S. Beth, thank you so much for allowing Nancy to share her story with us today. I’m so glad you were there for her during those difficult days. Surely God was the designer of that plan! Gotta love the way He puts us together just when we need each other most.
Andrea, thank you so much for this. for your kind words and encouragement, and also for loving on those who have it harder than others. Yes, I SO wish our story had a different ending, but am so blessed to hear that many DO. thank you for sharing.
Dear, Dear Nancy….With the tears streaming down my face my heart grieves for and with you…..I’m so, so sorry….NO WORDS….except simply, I am so sorry and next, I am so thankful for your decision NOT to hide or stay quiet….instead, choosing to allow GOD to be Glorified through your process of unimaginable grief….to healing and wholeness IN CHRIST ALONE.
For you to share that “It Is Well With My Soul” and to know the reason is because of your trust and faith in “GOD’s Story for “your people’s” lives…..both astounds and amazes me and is such an unbelievable encouragement to me today. My personal 2015 beginning at the end of January has been one of deep loss…..two beloved member’s of my family going home to JESUS within days of each other…both very unexpected…February filled with funerals and memorial services have left me so tired, so weary….March is bringing another monumental loss on a personal level….with the LOSS of our home….due to severe financial struggles caused by an auto accident last year on May 1st where my son was struck (as a pedestrian) by an intoxicated driver that was uninsured and the medical bills have overtaken and overwhelmed us as we battle in the courts….
Today I came home from work so utterly hopeless and just wanting desperately to crawl beneath the covers and just cry and stay there until the hurt, pain and struggles disappear…yet knowing it is in the “going through” it that my God has PROMISED to meet me. The enemy is speaking the lies and I am fighting the good fight….but it’s hard and I’m scarred from the battle….yet tonight I am reminded by your story that IT IS STILL “Well with my soul” and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your transparency in sharing your story tonight…..I NEEDED to hear it so much!!!!!
Please pray for me and for “my people” as we travel this winding path full of uncertainty, as I will surely be praying for yours!!
So much LOVE to you my sister and sojourner in the faith!!!
“It Is Well With My Soul”…..Love to you….thank you…XO
Angela
Angela, I am so touched that you would encourage me in the midst of your own struggles. thank you. I am so sorry for your losses. truly. May God wrap His very arms of comfort around you and all your people in this season. And the financial woes are troubling for sure, i cannot imagine the hardship coming from such a senseless accident! I pray that as you tread through the uncertainty, your eyes stay fixed on the One Who is certain. And He’s got you. No matter what the outcome may be. Something greater is ahead, and all will be for His glory and great fame.
Thank you so much Nancy…so touching to see you minister to each one of us with such personal care….your inner beauty shines brightly….I’m so blessed to know you will be holding “my peoples” up in prayer through our struggles….It means so much!!!
Angela
Nancy,
I am so thankful for your story of God’s constant grace in your life – in every corner, even the corners where you think you don’t need or want it. Your story has blessed me. I will pray that sharing this story of grace will encourage you.
thank you, Julie.
Nancy thank you so much for sharing your story and the Lords faithfulness! I also lost my youngest precious son at age 25 in 2012 to a drowning accident. The pain has been unbearable, when I look back I am also amazed I have survived, but God. I also knew when it happened that this is where the rubber hits the road–faith test! I know that I have drawn closer than ever and as you said my vision is more heaven and eternity bound. God bless and comfort your family, losing a child is a grief journey that is unimaginably hard. Thankful for the HOPE in Christ we will be reunited again with no more tears, pain, suffering and death and will be forever in the presence of the Lord.
Ginger, oh how sorry I am to see that you know this kind of loss. I just hate it for you! But am thankful you, too, have had the Lord to strengthen you and save you daily from despair. Blessed to hear from you – grateful for your hope even in the midst.
Grieving mothers sure bond. Thankful for the support of other Christian mamas who love on each other while going through a storm!
Nancy,
Your transparency in sharing your story and faith is much appreciated. I lost my baby brother in a car accident several years ago. As devastating as it was to our family, the faith that my parents have modeled to me is immeasurable. Nothing but Jesus. They continue to minister to others through their own loss. Nothing but Jesus. He is faithful and good and loving. There is no greater testimony you can give your other children. I am so thankful for you sharing your story with us. To trust us with something so tender is not easy to do. I will pray for you and your family and I know after sharing this with my parents they will pray too. May the Lord continue to strengthen you and bring Him glory as you share your son’s story.
God Bless,
Michelle
Michelle, thank you for your kind words. I am saddened that you and your family know devastating loss, too. So thankful for His hope. and strength. and grace for each moment. Hug your parents for me.
You and your family remain in my prayers. Love you, Nancy-girl! <3
Thank you so much for your willingness to share your story. I’m doing Sacred Secrets right now and that would be a lot easier to keep to yourself rather than to share openly. I grew up as an Christian Missionary Alliance Pastor’s daughter and struggles were not foreign to our family. We were also under scrutiny We had so many people though that loved us and prayed for us so it made it all ok.
Bless you for the work you’re doing by sharing your story. Thanks Beth for your transparency and speaking with the Holy Spirit’s direction. You have helped & inspired me many times.
thank you so much, you are kind.
Thanks for your courage and for the extravagant gift your vulnerable story shared so freely is. Your words are like a cold cup of water to a very parched soul.
Last night I wrote one more note to my husband trying to invite him again to risk stepping out of the destructive cycle of isolation and seek help. This morning as I asked God again to intervene in my families world, I told God I was tying one more knot and hanging on because I know He is there and cares for us. I asked if He could please intervene and help me find counsel to know how to navigate the many challenges of loving one emotionally crippled by mental illness.
…and He sent His love tonight through your words as they so poignantly jumped off the page speaking to the very cries of my heart.
grateful.
i am in tears right now – for you and your pain, and for the Lord’s beauty in the midst of such hardships….He alone can rescue, He alone. Thank You, Lord, for caring so much for Amy and her husband! Oh, how i pray right NOW, in Jesus’ name, that He brings your husband back from the brink! And i pray He ignites a huge fight inside of you, to defeat this enemy, and to savor some sweet victory.
I am so grateful for your comment. humbled, and so in awe of God. May He bless you and keep you…
Thank you, Nancy, for sharing your awful pain and God’s faithfulness in the midst of it. I know that I can’t even imagine what you have gone through.
Thank you, Chaundel. God bless you.
Dear Sweet Nancy,
Please visit my blog http://www.Godsip.net to read the post from January 2015, “Who Says?”, that I shared relating to my brother’s passing by suicide over twenty years ago. I hope it helps in some way. It is important to share comfort even as time passes. God bless you and please know I am adding you to my family prayer list because families who have been devastated by this particular kind of loss need to always comfort one another. It is a difficult issue that draws an entirely unique set of issues from other types of loss. Love, Grace and Peace, Sister.
Jill, thank you for sharing your own personal story. So sorry for the loss of your beloved brother. Sorry to know you are with us in this same “club” of who have lost love ones in such a way, but thankful for the grace God gives for each day. Seeing you down the road twenty plus years later, still loving Jesus is a hope and an encouragement to me. God bless you, and thank you for your prayers.
Nancy – thank you for sharing your story. It is a beautiful reminder that He will be at our side wherever life takes us. God’s promises are true and we can always trust Him. God is our only hope when life gets ugly. We just celebrated four years of “new birth” for my adult son that attempted to take his life, but God did was not finished with him. It was not the first attempt, but the most brutal, and we spent two months by his bedside while he was in an induced coma. I am so thankful to the Lord that He gave our son another chance and he is now doing well and walking hard after the Lord.
My heart aches for you that you did not get more time with Kyle. Depression and mental illness are so difficult to understand and deal with. I continue to struggle at times with fear, but it no longer consumes me. I would love to give you a hug and spend time learning from you! Again, thank you for your transparency and encouraging us to trust God!
I would love to hug you right back, Donna! Such joy in seeing that your son survived, and I pray such darkness never comes to him again! Thank you for your encouragement and sharing a bit of your own story. Could you give your young man a hug for me? May he find the adventure God has for him priceless!
Nancy,
I am a new subscriber to this blog, though I have participated in several Beth Moore studies. My son went to Heaven at 19, and while not in the same way as Kyle, the outcome is the same- both of our sons get to be with Jesus before us. We are 8 years out though sometimes it still seems unreal. I stand in agreement with your scripture references for comfort and confirmation of our faith that “God is who He says He is” and “God will do what He says He will do!” (Thanks for those words, Beth!) My church just hosted Kay Warren, a lovely person who took time to meet each attendee and listen to his/her story. The entire night focused on suicude prevention culminating in Kay’s own story- perhaps she can be a resource for you and vice versa.
I will add your name to our daily prayer list- I have already added Beth’s name and other leaders seeking to share God’s truth. I would also like to make you aware of an organization called While We’re Waiting, a faith-based support group just for parents whose children go to Heaven before them. There is a website and Facebook page if you are interested. I am friends with the founders, Jill & Brad Sullivan and Janice & Larry Brown. Please feel free to use my name if you decide to contact them-:)
Thank you for sharing your story and pictures of your handsome Kyle!
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Grace and peace to you!
Rhonda Harrington
Thank you, Rhonda, for your comment, and your encouragement. Please know how sorry I am for your profound loss. so grateful we both have the Lord to lean on. Thanks for all your other support suggestions, will certainly look into it. His grace to you.
Dearest Nancy,
Precious and beloved Sister in Christ. Your genuine love for God and those around you has poured out a beautiful drink offering onto these pages to our Lord and Savior, all to His amazing glory and praise. Thank you for sharing. I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful son. I pray you find comfort knowing there is gold beneath his feet and as much as he may have doubted his incredible value and worth on this earth, he can now touch the pierced hands and feet of His beloved Savior and see the look of love on the face of his Heavenly Father and know without a doubt his value beyond measure. You my dear sister, have walked thru the fire and come forth as gold. I know I can say that thru this fiery trial, I can just hear how His love has gone down deeper into your soul and you shine so beautiful for Jesus.
As I read your testimony I could not help but think of losing my best friend Keith in a workplace shooting. I was in so much pain I could hardly breathe. I know you know what I mean. It was my prayer at that time – Lord a person cannot travel this road without it being changed by it. If this changes me at all let it be for the better and in a way that glorifies you Lord. Hearing your testimony my heart can know that this is possible. I pray that one day I can shine for Jesus as beautiful as you do. Your beautiful testimony shines like gold to me sister, and I thank you for it. With much love, Mary Gegare
Well, Mary, just w o w. thank you for your gracious words. God alone be praised. He indeed has been my Hope. So sorry about your loss of your best friend, and in such a tragic way. I have no idea how we could possibly survive without Jesus. And yes, “let it change me for the better”….profound. thank you.
Oh Nancy, I never knew! I’m so very sorry about your son. I’ve almost lost our son a few times and it was the worst thing to go through. Seems the enemy follows me daily the more I press on with the Lord. Being trained by MaryAnn has taught me the right way and the close way to pray for you and your family. What a most beautiful post!
Thank you, Cindi. Praying your son is better now? God be your very real Hope.
Nancy,
Thank you so much for sharing your story and your faith with such transparency. It was such a blessing to see you in person recently after such a long time. I was so saddened to hear of your loss of Kyle. I still can close my eyes and see him as that cute first grader in my class with that impish grin! I cannot imagine the hole in your hearts and pray that the LORD continues to fill and strengthen you as you bring glory to Him!
Thank you for your words in this post, but also your loving, wise and compassionate correspondence through Living Proof. I still have and cherish the response you sent me during a time of struggle in our ministry. You are spot-on that Bible teachers & leaders and in this case, Pastor’s & their families often privately struggle and are in desperate need of prayer. Thank you for being a blessing to me!
Carol
Carol! Indeed it was so great to see you face to face, and hug your neck! thank you for your kind words, truly they are such a blessing to me. As are you. God bless you, sister.
Sweet sister, my “mother heart” was near weeping, then I saw that precious, beautiful face and did. Oh, how I love Jesus, and what a sweet, faithful Presence He has been and continues to be! Faith and trust lived out, as you are doing, glorifies our Lord in ways just saying it doesn’t seem to do. Yes, your sweet son will be waiting for you when you get to toss this earthly body aside. Until then, I pray that the great Comforter will continue to give you and your family strength. (I woke up this morning and had been dreaming I was zipping my toddler’s little flight jacket. His platinum curls were a bit long, and he was asking me something as he adjusted his tiny glasses. That toddler is now almost 30, and I am 63…motherhood truly is eternal.) May your memories of Kyle be filled with joy.
thank you, Lainie….these words are precious to me. Your dream of your son brought me joy. i love the toddler years. God bless you for your kindness to me.
Beloved, as one who nearly took the same path as your son, please believe me, there is nothing you could have said or done to prevent his suicide. Once you determine in your heart to take your own life, you are only consumed with yourself. You have no thought of how it will impact those you love. You are only thinking about how to end the pain. Suicide is selfishness at its worst. You do not care about anything or anyone. So please do not go down the blame path, you had no part in your son’s death. He made a decesion based on his own heart, sadly he accomplished what was in the darkest part. I will keep you in my prayers, dear sister. I pray my own experience will in some small way lessen your pain.
Thank you for sharing from your perspective, Kim. I am truly touched. I will ponder your words often. God bless you, dear one.
Wow,thank you for sharing this! This was so raw & unexpected. Thank you for being so open. There are many of us who needed to know we are not alone in the sorrows of our adult children and their decisions. Really, thank you for trusting us with your very personal story. Thank you not from me but for my mentors (the very woman who led me to Christ & changed the very course of my life), for they just lost their son in the same manner. I have forwarded this blog to them. Much love, peace & healing to you all. (Ps 107:19-22)
Thank you, Cary for your support and encouragement. I’m so sorry about your mentor’s son – this kind of loss is just the worst devastation. Praying for them right now…
Nancy, one sentence was supposed to say, “Thank you not ONLY from me, but…” I have shared this blog with both my mentors and they were tremendously blessed. Their hurt is still fresh as Billy just passed in January. Thank you again for writing this. I also shared your blog with my sweet, young mom and widow, who in similar fashion laid her husband to rest less than two years ago. So much hurt – thank You, Jesus, for being our Comforter!
Thank you Nancy for sharing and especially for telling us about Kyle. Loss is an incredible hole completely filled and engulfed with the love of Christ. Much love being poured out to you and your family. In His amazing love, Pam
Thank you so much for your comment, Pam. Appreciate your kindness so much. God’s best to you and yours.