1) God is in control: We like to think of that when things are well, but the thing with truth is that it is always truth no matter what the situation. If we believe God is in control, then we also must accept that God not only allowed this to happen but that it was part of his plan for Gavin. That is hard to think about, yet we see in Psalms 139: 2-6 You know when I sit down or stand up.You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,too great for me to understand! Psalm 139:16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. God was with Gavin the whole time, that Gavin’s death was not your fault Brooke, it was not your fault Rick, it was not anyones fault but God’s will. He could have changed this if he wanted to but did not. Which brings me to the next truth:
2)God has a purpose for Gavin’s life: One of the thoughts that plagued me this week was “He did not even have a chance to serve you God or become what you created him for”. But God quickly reminded me that He created each of us for a purpose and that purpose is being fulfilled with each breath we take and each day we live not just when we grow up because our purpose in not so much of what we can do but what God can do through us. Gavin’s physical life on earth may be over, but he is just beginning to fulfill the purpose God planned for him. His short life has touched us in ways others who live a long life never will. Here are just some of the life lessons Gavin has taught me that I will not soon forget:
a)Not to take for granted the time we have with those we love
b) To appreciate each day
c) To love as Christ would
d)To be merciful not judging of others
e) To seek God’s face in prayer each moment of the day
f) To not worry or stress over the small things in life
e) To make the most of every opportunity to share God’s truth
f) To rely on the one thing that cannot be taken away- God’s promises
Just to name a few. From the size of the crowd I saw at the memorial service I know that many of us have been touched in someway by Gavin’s life.
3) God can take a bad situation and use it for good and for His glory: God has already done that even in people who did not even know the Mc Donald family. Reporters have apologized for their insensitivity in reporting the story, people all over the country who heard the story are holding their children closer and longer, moms everywhere are connected to the Mc Donald family through tears and prayer. So good has come and God is being glorified. Rick and Brooke’s faith is what is helping them survive this, without that where would we any of us be. But it is also being tested, the only way to survive is to remain in Him even when you question and the pain is so great you do not think you can survive, as Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. I always thought that meant he would take away my burdens, but God showed me it meant that I would join with Jesus on his yoke and that together we would carry the load making the load lighter, but also teaching me how to handle the burden which would give me peace. So let God help you, learn from Him in this and receive the peace that only He can give. I believe when Micah and Eli see the faith of their parents lived out, tested and strengthened, they will know that its real which will speak louder that any words anyone could say to them. And the great part will be that Gavin will have played a part in leading his brothers to faith in Christ. I also know that God will use this in their life to help others, He is preparing them for a ministry to help others in ways they never knew were possible. As it says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. In as much as Gavin’s life has a purpose, so does yours. Let God use you for his purpose to bring him glory and in turn you will be letting Gavin’s life continue to touch the hearts of others.
I pray these truths from God have brought some comfort and healing and we all can say again “Thank you God for the blessing of Gavin” And each time I think of him, I will picture him cuddled up, sleeping peacefully but instead of my arms, I see Jesus is the one holding him. And as he bends down to kiss his soft hair and breathes in the scent of him, he says “Thank you Gavin for being such a blessing, well done my good and faithful servant!
Please continue to pray for this family and if this has challenged you or drawn you closer to God, please reply so that Brooke will be encouraged by those Gavin’s life has touched.
