
Karen McNeill, Ft. Collins, CO
It’s been 18 years since my 15 day old son, Travis, died. During that trying time, I was given many words of encouragement and advice and one particular statement stuck with me “the pain will not get any easier, it will just come less frequently.” These words did not prove to be true for me.
A couple years after the loss of my son, I was given another gift - a 5 year old daughter to care for as my own. This child was not one that I carried or bore, but she was part of God’s perfect plan for my life.
The day after I married her father, this little one found herself motherless. God quickly revealed to me that I was the woman He had chosen to care for His child and now, my precious daughter is almost the age I was, when I began raising her.
My daughter has taught me so much about how God can make all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28) How He can take broken hearts and lives and put them back together for His glory.
I feel the passing of my son, Travis, was truly a reflection of God’s mercy somehow. I thank God and praise Him for never giving up on me, and for being with me every step of my journey that has not been easy.
On days like Mothers Day, I praise Him even more, because I know that His plan for me, and my children, is far greater than I could ever imagine (Jeremiah 29:11) and, I completely trust Him!