September 22, this day has always been a celebration,for this was the day my brother Craig was given life. As he has passed away four years ago this day has been filled with a mix of emotions. Each year tells a different story of how I react to this day! This year I am so thankful to say was filled with joy , with a new family, and with hope!
A couple of days ago my team along with four other teams spent a night worshiping our amazing God ! God gave me a vision of my brother Craig and the way he used to worship,if you never got the chance to experience this, it is quite extraordinary. Craig was given many talents , but singing wasn't one of them , but he didn't let that stop him from singing and praising our great God at the top of his lungs. I absolutely loved this about my brother, that he had no shame and only lived for an audience of One. He was far from perfect, but he new who he was in Christ , which shaped the way he lived, loved and impacted this world.
That being said God has showered me with grace and joy today. Not only did he allow that vision and the voice of Craig telling me he is right in front of me, reminding me that he is watching over me . But he also allowed the teams I am with, to go out to the city of Pretoria to love on those God had put in my path. Today I was able to pour into an amazing man who has suffered a lot, but he was given a new hope today, and a new way to life. God also gave me the blessing of singing and praying with and for a dear little boy, whom I would gladly adopt and take home with me.
What God really showed me today, through the midst of pain and suffering is how little I am , and how big he is . He has continually reminded me of his love, and compassion for his children. That his plans are good even if we don't understand them. Today my team had a bible study over Joshua1 and got into a discussion about Moses and how when first reading about how God gave Moses a glimpse of the promised land he had wandered 40 years to arrive to, but took him home before allowing Moses to enter it. Most of those on my teams first response was that God is a harsh God, but what God revealed to us is that in our misunderstanding we automatically assume that he is harsh, but the truth is that our eyes and minds were not fixed on heaven and fixed on this earth. As soon as we started talking about this I realized that many peoples reaction to my brothers death was how could God do this to Craig for he was such an amazing light to this world. Many started questioning their faith and if God truly is a good God. But if we fix our eyes heavenward we would realize that God wanted to bring them to the place they had eagerly been awaiting ! That they are now in the true promised land, as we continued discussing , my fellow teammate Carrie looks to me and expresses how Awesome it is that my brother is there . That when we die we get to put on the robe of righteousness, and that we no longer wear the dirty garments that re itchy and irritate the Spirit but now are clothed with full purity, with a silk robe fitted perfectly for each and every ne of us that believe and have a relationship with Jesus. How amazing is it that my brother has met and continually looks at God face to face! After this I pray that we will no longer think that God taking Craig home, and Moses home before the promised land as harsh , But instead will see God's sovereignty and delight in his people to take them home early for the way they lived their lives, and will endure this race so that I will be able to join them again one day 🙂 !
By the way another crazy awesome thing happened yesterday ! My mom and I found a memory card from Craig, and there was only one picture of him and my beautiful niece Lyvia ! Well yesterday I was looking at the picture and realized he was wearing a shirt from adventures and missions, another sign from him that he is here with me 🙂 ! God is so good ! That is so crazy God has really blessed me with Craig's presence right where I am at !
I hope this is encouraging and brings joy to you 🙂 love you guys lots.
