Some of you reading this are hurting deeply, and I am so sorry. I wish I could be talking to you over a cup of tea, rather than over the internet. If you are going through a long, dark valley right now, there’s hope. God wants to fill you with joy and peace when peace is nowhere to be found in your circumstances.
I remember the evening five months ago when the officer told us the most dreaded words for a parent to hear. “I’m so sorry to tell you that Danielle was in a car accident...and she did not survive.” I dropped to the floor, and the initial shock gave way to an intense pain and unspeakable agony.
I’d like to share with you what has helped me during this time. My prayer numerous times every day since the accident has been “Lord, give us an eternal perspective. Help us to see this tragedy and life in general through your eyes.” He has answered this prayer...our family has been given hope and peace that's humanly unexplainable. We still miss Danielle so very much; but God has helped us to look at Danielle's death from an eternal perspective, KNOWING she is safely home with Jesus.
An area where God has been working in me is my own faith. Praising God through the tough times, trusting in His sovereignty in all things and experiencing peace in the midst of tragedy is only possible through faith. God didn’t cause the accident; but He allowed it. And...He didn’t make a mistake by allowing Danielle to die. The accident does not change the greatness of God. He is good, He is great, His ways are always right, even when they don’t make sense in our eyes. I was forced to trust God and depend on God at a new level. Reading verses in the Bible about God’s promises and faithfulness have carried me. Here’s one: Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I have felt God’s loving presence daily!
Asking God every day to help me to live in light of eternity has changed my values, priorities and focus; and has changed my perspective on verses such as Philippians 3:20 “Our citizenship is in heaven.” Before Danielle’s accident, Heaven was something I definitely believed in, but I didn’t think about it often. I am now beginning to understand the brevity of life, realizing that we are just passing through....on our way to our final destination.
Throughout Danielle’s life, she has embarked on several exciting journeys. When she took her first hesitant steps as a baby, her first day at school, her first day at college. And now Danielle has begun the most beautiful, magnificent, and rewarding journey of all – in her eternal, Heavenly home. I always imagined helping her plan her wedding, watching her walk down the aisle to meet her groom. Well – Danielle is now with her “heavenly bridegroom.” Whenever I feel that intense pain of missing her...I remind myself that my separation with Danielle is temporary. When God is finished with me here, I’ll be welcomed by Jesus, Danielle, my dad, and others. What a celebration that will be!
Blessings, Melody
P.S. Little did I know that when I hugged Danielle on Sunday May 11th (Mother’s Day), I would never hug her again...in this life. None of us know when will be our last day. So please don’t miss the opportunity to let others know how much we love them.
