Yesterday the ground of the Kingdom shook as Kevin's son Ryan passed from one state to another. We will miss him. We will be moved and taught by him for years to come. We will eagerly long to see his legacy continue in his beautiful family. If you did not know Ryan, you have missed the chance to really see someone live faith in ways that could be touched and felt.
Truly, thanks be to God for his faithfulness and the way it shined through Ryan in the midst of the ugliest face of pain, and shadow of impending loss. Pray for Jessica, his beautiful wife left behind too soon. Pray for Jones and India, his amazing children who are witnesses to the truth of separation in ways none of us would want to experience. Pray for Kevin and Brenda, faithful parents who now stand in for their son with their Grandkids as they never hoped they would have to.
Grief and loss come on us like waves of the ocean. Sometimes it is as we stand with our backs to the sea and they sweep over us, taking us by surprise. We are shocked and shaken and battle against it just to take a breath. At other times we faithfully face the ocean, standing strong knowing the waves are coming and brace ourselves for them. There will be several of these moments and the give and take of joy and grief, of laughter and pain, of love and loss that will sweep in and out of all of the hearts of each of us that knew Ryan, but none will feel it so deeply or profoundly as those who were closest to him. May we all be as ready as Ryan was when the time comes and may we all be there for those he loved in these hard days.
The video posted below is such a great tribute to Ryan and Jessica and their faith and love. Please watch it, think of them and pray.
Even in pain, God is good.
