Andrew & Audra 12/08
Andrew & Avery 12/08The Bible
by the Holy Spirit
Psalm 13 has ministered to me today. It ends this way: "I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me."
Heaven Is So Real
by Choo Thomas
The One Year Book of Hope
by Nancy Guthrie
Smith Wigglesworth Devotional
by Smith Wigglesworth
My Utmost for His Highest
by Oswald Chambers
Heaven
by Randy Alcorn
Words I have said to God: ('may not be theologically sound, I know.)
"You know how I feel to lose the physical presence of a son. Yours left Heaven's throne so that my son might be able to go to you."
"You understand what it's like to see your son suffer. I do, too."
"Today, I trust You with Andrew in Heaven. And I trust You with my other children here on Earth."
"Do you still answer the prayers of a mother for her son who is already in Heaven? If so, will You give Andrew his very own puppy today to follow him around?"
"You are a better parent to Andrew than I could ever be. You are the perfect Father."
"I'm glad Andrew has a big brother in Heaven ~ Jesus!"
"Please help his brother and sister here on Earth. They suffer loss."
"Please help, us."
more words later...
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Melanie, you are just a beautiful person. that's all. your mother's heart just shines through these words. And, I found out Beth Moore has a cd set called The Inheritance. I heard it's awesome. love you, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteMelanie, you are just a beautiful person. that's all. your mother's heart just shines through these words. And, I found out Beth Moore has a cd set called The Inheritance. I heard it's awesome. love you, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteOh Melanie, my heart goes out to you. I have to say that I read Randy Alcorn's book called Heaven shortly after my mom died. It was such a comfort to me. I'm sure God understands and welcomes all you say to Him. It's got to be such a difficult time as you miss your Andrew. Please know that your blogging friends, including me, are praying for you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Debbie
Melanie, You have been so open with your emotions and thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us and letting us know your heart. What beautiful words you have said to God, wonderful words of a mother to the Father.
ReplyDeleteI think I will look up the book "The one year book of hope." My latest blog entry was called waiting with hope. I think we all need that hope these days.
Bless you
My heart weeps with you as I read your prayer to our precious LORD.
ReplyDeleteI pray our Heavenly Father will pour out HIS peace, love, and comfort to each member of your family!
Blessings, hugs, love, and prayers,
andrea
I love you dear sis, wrapping you in hugs, and prayers.
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie, I think your words are perfect, because they are from your heart. May God wrap His loving arms around your whole family. Thank you for posting. I'm so glad that you are feeling God's presence while you do.
ReplyDeletehugs and blessings,
love'
Debra
Again, how my heart breaks for you, and for the rest of your family. I LOVE those pics of Andrew with his brother and sister. You can almost "feel" the love they shared. What nice looking kids. Thanks for sharing them with us. Your prayer was such a piece of your heart and I know He hears every word. Still praying, Debbie
ReplyDeleteYou and your family continue in my prayers. Your words are such heartfelt ones...from a mother's heart. Thanks for sharing your most private thoughts and allowing us to pray with you.
ReplyDeletethose sound really good, and I have another one to recommend, if you'd like. It is called Treasures of Darkness by Sharon Betters. I've given it to several who have suffered loss. thanks for being so transparent and sharing.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
Hi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI love your words to the Lord. I can see Jesus smiling with a puppy in hand. Praying for you, Dan, Audra, and Avery. B
I have read a few of those. Some good ones! Think of you daily. Sending hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Tara
Beautiful photos of Andrew with his brother and sister....what beautiful children God blessed you with.
ReplyDeleteVery good choice of books Melanie, they all will bring you comfort, I found books a great source of comfort as I grieved for my loved ones.....I am still holding you and your family in prayer and know Andrew is happy in heaven with God and both would want you to rejoice and be happy as well until you are are reunited in God's time....be strong lovely lady......:-) Hugs
I am not much of a "book" reader...so 5 books at one time?? that is impressive. I hope they are comforting to you...Your blog is looking so pretty....and I love to see the pictures of your children.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had words. All I can do is pray for you and your sweet family.
ReplyDeleteMy mom has been reading Randy Alcorn's "Heaven" also. I will have to tell her about these others. She is missing her sister (my aunt) terribly after losing her to cancer.
hugs...
Beautiful words. God does know. Keep cleaving to Him.
ReplyDeleteMelanie,
ReplyDeleteYour faith is so amazing sweet one. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Love and hugs to you,
Dawn
Thank you for continuing to share with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll get many recommendations for books, but I wanted to share with you that yesterday, Don Piper, author of "90 Minutes In Heaven" did a mini-revival at our church, and I couldn't help but think of Andrew and all that Don Piper had to say about Heaven.
(He was killed in a car wreck, died for 90 minutes, went to Heaven, then came back to life.) He described Heaven so beautifully, and I thought about what a comfort Don Piper's testimony would be to you and your dear family. You can watch it on You Tube, too.
Continuing to pray for you all...
Jennifer
Oh, Melanie, thanks for sharing "yourself" w/us: your transparency & intimacy w/God are so refreshing & such an encouragement. I cannot begin to know what you are going through, but the insights you have shared have given me courage to "come alongside" friends who are going through great loss right now.
ReplyDeleteI can almost imagine Andrew "running around w/his Big Brother" now (no disrespect meant!) Praying for you every day!
Melanie,
ReplyDeleteSo amazing that yesterday I was going to post what I am reading right now and then didn't. came here today to check on you and thought "WOW!" we even think alike!
Love you, friend.
I'll put my book list up tonight. Kind-of in a loss for words state at this time.
Praying,tammy
I love your pictures, Melanie. I'm agreeing with you for those prayers. Your books sound good. I read a wonderful book on heaven. I'll have to look it up for you. Love and Hugs ~
ReplyDeleteThinking of you each day and praying for you...My heart hurts for you..
ReplyDeleteDEAR MELANIE,
ReplyDeleteALL MY PRAYERS ARE LIFTED UP TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DAILY AND EVERY TIME I THINK ABOUT ANDREW. I CAN JUST SEE ANDREW SKATEBOARDING TO BIBLE CLASS WITH HIS PRECIOUS PUPPY JOGGING A LONG BESIDE HIM.
THERE IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS TO A MOTHER WHEN HER CHILD..HER GIFT FROM GOD...IS CALLED HOME AND THE HANDS THAT NUTURED AND LOVED AND TAUGHT TO WRITE, TO DO PUZZLES, TO WALK AND TALK AND THAT CHILD IS SO LOVED IT FEELS LIKE LITERALLY PART OF YOUR HEART IS GONE AND BREATHING BECOMES A CHORE. MY TEARS, MY LOVE,MY LISTENING EAR, AND MY PRAYERS ARE ALL I CAN GIVE...THERE IS A TIME WHEN ONLY SETTING AT THE FEET OF JESUS WITH THE LIVING WORD ON OUR LAP, AND THE PICTURE OF OUR LOVED ONE IN FRONT OF US THAT WE REALIZE HOW VERY FRAGILE LIFE IS AND THAT IT IS REALLY NOT ABOUT US AT ALL BUT GLORIFYING THE FATHER...MAY GOD'S PEACE, MERCY, AND GRACE BLANKET YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS TIME OF RESTORATION AND HEALING
YOU ARE SO VERY RIGHT...GOD LOVES OUR CHILDREN DEEPER THAN WE EVER COULD AND THEY WERE ONLY LOANED TO US....YOU ARE SO BRAVE AND SUCH AN INSPIRATION
BLESSINGS
SIMPLY DEBBIE
Melanie: My heart grieves with you. Comfort, Martha
ReplyDeleteDear Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI just want to say that, I am SO sorry that this has happened to your family. I am so sorry, that you had to hold your precious son as he suffered. I am so sorry, that you had to let him go.
It is just not in the vision we (as mothers) have for our children. We carry them in our bodies, taking such careful care, so that they will be healthy. Nurture and love them every moment of everyday of their life. Andrew a strong, healthy, absolutely beautiful boy! It's unfathomable! This side of heaven, I will never understand, the suffering of children.
Please forgive me, if my words upset (absolutelty not intentioned). Just (gentle) words in my heart tonight.
Everytime, I look at pictures of your precious children, my heart squeezes in ache for you. I saw the photo on FB of Avery and Audra from Christmas morning, and your words (one is missing). Your pain is palpable but your strength is evident.
Be strong Ritzpah!
~Brandi
"Dear God, please, ease the suffering in these hearts. Let the Great comforter, the Holy Spirit, rest in their home. Wrap them in Your love Abba Father. This I pray in Jesus name." Amen
Precious Sister, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot begin to imagine the pain of losing a child but I have known deep grief at the hands of one of my children. My heart breaks for you but I rejoice in knowing that one day you will enjoy his presence again and He will be fully whole. Praying that the Comforter will be very near you today.
ReplyDeleteMelanie:
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are such a treasure, but the words from your heart are beyond precious. Our prayers continue daily for you and your family. I include Cathe Laurie's blog page. If you haven't seen it, I think you will be blessed by her words.
http://www.harvest.org/virtue/cathes-notes.html?p=397
Continuing to pray for all of you.
Sonja
Dear Jesus only You can fill the 'loss' go and be very evident and big, please! Amen
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words that are so pleasing to God Melanie. So true that He does understand the loss and suffering...what a wonderful companion we have in our Heavenly Father. I hope he grants that puppy prayer for Andrew!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you dear...you all remain in my prayers!
may not be theologically sound, I know.)
ReplyDeleteoh girl...I doubt our Father God even thinks that when He hears His precious daughter crying out this prayer..I doubt very much He would ever say,,Melanie now darling,,this is not theologically sound now.
I'm glad you shared, I'm glad you poured this out....I have your comment saved in my inbox from last week when you visited me...it sits there because I need to email you back...each day I see it, I pray (like I have been since September)..I need to pour out my heart to you too girl and just share my love with you...and maybe get passed, like you,,not being theologically sound but just sharing what's on my heart for you and yours..
Love you, love you, love you!!
Dear Melanie, God hears your words, and our prayers are joined with yours!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a beautiful family. The pictures are precious! ~love, Rhonda :)
You are a beautiful mother. Thank you for sharing your inner thoughts between you and God with us. I'm praying for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteMelanie helped me with MY blog page today. She is trusting God and resting one day at a time!
ReplyDeletePraying for continued Heart Healing!