"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!"
- Psalm 11:24
Tomorrow would have been our son, Kevn's, 42nd birthday. December 8th was a very special day in our lives, because it was the day that he was born and as is the custom in the Green Family - we make a big deal about birthdays!
Our family is passionate about life and death (we're Irish!), and we have had to be very careful not to let the "shadow of death" overshadow the joy of living, that it might not steal away our faith, hope and passion for living, which we believe are gifts from God.
As a family, we have found that the more heartache and difficulities we face, the more opportunity there is to test our character and resolve for beginning again. It is also more importantly, an opportunity for God to reveal Himself and His love and intenions for us, His people.
We have learned that either we change with our circumstances or our circumstances will change us, and if we are not careful, the changes will not always be for the better and/or for our good. We have discovered that if we stay too long in "yesterday," we just might miss out on all that God has for us today!
As I look ahead to tomorrow, I am thankful that December 8th is also the day that our son David's wife, Velaine, was born, as was a great-nephew, Mikey, and niece, Corynn. These special gifts of life on what Kevin would say was "my birthday," is a testimony that "everyday is a fresh start." I have come to understand that living life as though "every morning we wake up is the first day of our new life," not only comforts, encourages and sustains me, but sets me on a path of beginning again, leaving the "broken pieces of yesterday" where they belong - in yesterday.
And, so today, the day before my precious son would have turned 42 years old, I will be intentional about waking up to this "first day of (my) new life" remembering, loving and missing my son, but reaching for the "new beginning" that is available to me.
"Thank You, God, for the gift of Kevin Russell - given to his dad, his brothers and to me, his Mom, 42 yesterdays ago.
Please call him out of the crowd of Heaven and tell him that we are remembering him, loving and missing him, and praising YOU for his life now and in all of our tomorrows - eternally!
With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmali.com
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