A Father's Loss: Enduring Tragedy with Faith

I wanted to share these beautiful words received through a friend whose friend lost his daughter to a brain tumor recently. This is the blog the father posted 48 hours after experiencing the biggest loss of his life. His words are a testament to faith and the inner peace God can bring even during the worst of times. They are a reminder to live every day like it could be your last, value and love each other, and don't obsess over what you can't change. Easier said than done, but if this father can do it, we all can. Have a blessed Sunday.

A GIFT:


The last 48 hours are a blur. We're home now, but without a piece of our family and a big piece of our heart. Our Ava went to be with Jesus. 10 weeks to the day of her diagnosis of GBM she was taken from here to heaven.

We were given something that most families don't have when they lose a loved one. Time. We spent the last 10 weeks with renewed intentionality and focus that gave Ava every bit of the picture we wanted her to have. We loved on her, played with her, took extra time with her and cared for her in a way that let us see her go, knowing that she knew how special God made her. The gift He gave us for 5 years is one that will never be taken away. With the end of her earthly life came the realization that I would do it all over again for those 5 years even if I knew the outcome.

Our Ava touched more lives for Jesus than most will. Her short time here was a gift. A gift to Lisa and me, her brother, and everyone who knew her or read about her through my written words. She was truly God's child while here and is truly God's child as she watches me write this through the tears only a father could shed. She marked me. She changed my heart. She made me more the man Jesus created me to be. I am thankful for her and to her.

I love Ava more than I can say. She was a gift, but she was not mine. She was God's while she was here and she is God's now. Her short life on earth is one I will carry with me until I see her again. I miss her so much already. The pain may fade, but her impact will only grow with time. I don't understand why, but I do understand God is bigger than I am and He knows.

Lisa and I are heartbroken and hurting, but we live with the absolute peace that she is in perfect peace. I wanted you all to hear it from me.I love her and I always will. My girl is loving life with all of us in heaven. Pray for us in the days ahead. Let that be your gift to us.