I have a truly wonderful family. Now, we’re a little weird. I mean, we’re all still married, the kids are well disciplined, none of us are mooching off mom and dad. There have been many ups and downs over the years, but in all, we’ve led a rather charmed life, when I stop to think about it.
Saturday, Jan. 3, I got a call that no one ever wants. My parents and sister’s kids had been in a wreck and my niece Alexa was killed when the car rolled over on her. This last week and a half have seen more tears in my family than I think were shed in the previous 40 years combined.
Today is Alexa’s birthday. She would have been 11. And we still (and will always) mourn her leaving us. I put together pictures of her life for the memorial service and this was a girl who had lived a life. She was eager for a new adventure, did things with her own special flair and never saw strangers – just friends she hadn’t met yet.
I have lots of deep thoughts about this event. They’re rather jumbled in my head, though, which isn’t a surprise for anyone who knows me. But the most important, which my family believes strongly, is that God is in control, he has a plan and he is good. And this is something that is unchanging. He wasn’t asleep on Saturday and bad things happened. He is always large and in charge, and while we may not understand what he’s doing, we take comfort in knowing that he does. I ran across a verse yesterday that gives me further peace – Job 42:2. “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” I love that not only does God have a plan, but there is nothing that can keep it from happening. Whatever and however he is planning to use this is going to happen.
We know we’ll see her again some day in heaven, although it won’t be the same as having her here now. It’s easy to feel sad because she’ll never have the joy of winning a district basketball tournament or falling in love or seeing more of the world. But if you truly believe she’s in heaven, she’s got the better end of the deal right now.
My Aunt Elaine left us in early December. It’s so easy to think that she and Alexa are up there giving all of heaven a concert. But that’s no four-number set of Broadway tunes they’ve cooked up. At the memorial service, my sister’s musical group played the song Elaine and Alexa are singing now and forever and that we’ll someday join them in – Agnus Dei.
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
For the Lord God Almighty reigns
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
For the Lord God Almighty reigns
Hallelujah
Holy, holy, is the Lord God, almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Amen
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