Tough Week

This week has been filled with heaviness of heart. There were four children in our area who died, one of whom we know the extended family well, and one of whom was a part of our church. My heart just aches for these families and I never know what to say. I can't possibly understand what they are going through. I keep thinking of things that they will have to face in the coming days and years, and tears well up again.

On Thursday, Mike and I got to be a part of Joshua Brown's funeral celebration service, and it was amazing. His special verse was Joshua 3:5

"Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (NIV)

Even with only 9 nine years on this earth, God did amazing things through Joshua. As an infant, doctors found a brain tumor that affected many areas of his life. Last year, Joshua's family and friends were devastated to hear that the cancer was back. He fought hard against the growing tumors, and was always smiling and fun to converse with. Through a special program, he got to be an honorary coach with the SLU basketball team.

Joshua left a trail of influence that ranged from ESPN to local college sports to schools to motorcycle groups to churches and beyond. The church as full of those who loved and missed him on Thursday, and the celebration service was the coolest one I have ever attended. I mean, how many funerals have you been to that start with a live band playing the Phineas and Ferb theme song and end with everyone getting a pack of M&M's to take to the graveside ceremony?

It was uplifting, encouraging, and challenging to the see the lives Joshua touched in so short a time. I am left wondering if I am making anywhere near the impact of this slightly shy redhead.

Joshua came to every kids' choir practice. He sang all the songs at home. But, when it came time for the performance, he wouldn't step foot on the stage. His mom mentioned one time that he had stumbled on the stairs once because of balance issues, and she thought that might be why he wouldn't go up. Instead, he sat by me on the front row as the junior kids' choir director.

During the celebration service, Pastor Hal mentioned that Joshua never did anything half way. When he got involved with the SLU team, he became a coach. As a part of the kids' choir, he was a director. Now in heaven, I imagine he is not doing anything halfway. He can run, jump, dance, sing, and worship his heart out with no fear of balance issues or imperfect coordination or feeling sick. He is absolutely perfect.

God, help me to live life with the courage, strength, optimism, joy, and wholehearted abandon. Let me be a little more like Joshua today.