Thursday 21 August 2008

"Blessed be Your Name"

And blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering.

Though there's pain in the offering, blessed be Your name.

These are some of the words we sang to Jesus yesterday at Noah's funeral.  I can't even describe the sadness I have felt over the past week.  Situations like these are so extremely difficult to understand.  While I do not think I will ever have a true understanding of "why" these things happen, I have been able to look at Noah's story a little bit differently after getting to visit with his parents and attend his services.

In Noah's 364 days here on earth, he touched more people's hearts than most people who get to live to be old and grey.  That tiny little baby had more people spending time with God and crying out to Him in prayer than what I'm sure even some ministers are able to do.  Blessed be Your name.

While it is heartbreaking not to have Noah here with us, we know now that he is completely healed.  Blessed be Your name.

I continue to stand in awe of Deb and Josh and their faith that has gotten them through this journey so far.  They are such amazing people.  I went to Alabama with the hope of being able to provide them with even some shred of support and comfort and it was only after hearing them talk of Noah and their journey with him that I felt some comfort and peace.

Here is a poem that I read while I was in Alabama.  Like so many other things in this story, it spoke to me so I thought I would share it.

A Place Where Children Are

What kind of place would heaven be
with all its streets of gold,
If all the souls that dwell up there
like yours and mine, were old?
How strange would heaven's music sound
when harps begin to ring
If children were not gathered 'round
to help the angels sing.
The children that God sends to us
are only just a loan,
He knows we need their sunshine 
to make a house a home.
We need the inspiration 
of a baby's blessed smile.
He doesn't say they've come to stay,
just lends them for a while.
Sometimes it takes them years to do
the work for which they come.
Sometimes in just a month or two
Our Father calls them home.
I like to think some souls up there
bear not one sinful scar.
I love to think of heaven as 
a place where children are.

Thank you Lord, for Noah Jackson Lauer.  Bless him, and keep him, he is one special little boy.

6 comments:

BethHubbard said...

What a beautfiful post. Josh and Deb are so blessed to have such supportive friends like you and Cory. I'm sure it meant so much to have you both there. Love you!!

Rebecca said...

That's a beautiful post. I always envisioned adults when I imagined Heaven. Now that I know children are there, it seems ever more wonderful.

Thank you for sharing!

Heather Coleman said...

I've been praying for them. Keeping up with Noah's story has made such an impact on me. I'm so saddened by his death, but just hearing about the faith of his parents amazes me. They must be incredible people to know. Thank you for your post.

Deb said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you... for coming to Tuscaloosa, for hurting with us, for being such good friends.

We love and miss you guys.

Deb & Josh

Chris Faehnle said...

Stephanie,
You are such a wonderful and sensitive friend and I am so proud of your love and devotion to Deb, Josh and Noah. I have prayed for all of you this last week and will continue to pray for you and for this precious family. You have been so blessed to have the Lauers in your life and they will continue to need you. I love you!

Alison said...

Steph - I've been keeping up with Noah's story since you first posted and was so sad to read this news. Their faith is so incredible and inspiring. Thanks for sharing their story.