Finding Life's purpose

Hello everyone!

This past week something really tragic happened. For those of you who live in the Rick and Bubba nation, you heard the news about Rick losing his youngest son. My prayers go out to you Rick. I have really taken the time to do some self evaluation during this time. You know that when you lose a child you make promises to yourself, that you hopefully will be able to keep. I think that the biggest thing I promised my self was to never take life for granted. During this past week I realized that I have not kept that promise to myself. So that's when reality hit, I have taken life for granted knowing that it can end in the blink of any eye. I was really proud of Rick for the statement that he made about the loss of his son during the memorial service, talking about if just one person came to know Christ through all of this, it would be worth it. I was amazed, that someone else could understand what I have been saying the last 4 years since the passing of my daughter. Let me explain. After she passed away, I prayed and asked God to give me something to hold on to, and he told me this "If not one person came to know me would it be worth it?" The only answer I had was yes! She now has the perfect life knowing no pain or sickness, so how could I not be happy that God was using her to lead others to Christ. I am now convinced that when a child passes away, they are the biggest and best warriors for Christ. They are able to get the attention of people, that no one else could effect. God uses "the least of these" to do his work. Children have such a pure relationship with Christ that just amazes me. I think that my goal this year is to help the families around me that go through loss, find their purpose for the life of their child. You know that you may not see the impact right away, but one day you will. I like to use this example, my father-in-law was out witnessing one day when he pastored a church in Amarillo TX. Every week he would put a business card on 1 family's door, because they did not answer. About 2 years later a family came into his office with a stack of business cards that they had received for 2 years from him. They told him that he was the only one who never gave up on them. From that point on they attended his church, but most importantly they got to know Christ, and now have a personal relationship with him. You see my father-in-law did not see the fruit right away, but 2 years later he did. I hope that God shows you the fruit of your loss right away, but don't get weary in well doing, because tomorrow could be your day to eat your fill of God's sweet fruit!
Love ya all
Rachel