Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Black Haired Beauty Now Dancing With Jesus

Hey Friends,

My Aunt Lily went to be with the Lord yesterday morning.

The Celebration will be Wednesday at 2:00. Keep the family in your prayers. I again ask for more prayers for Zoie and Mike as they prepare to sing. The momma bear in me wants to shield Zoie and protect her from this experience. But the momma who trust God, knows in her heart that this is an experience that Zoie must face.

Zoie has experienced the deaths of loved ones and been a part of our ministry to those in our churches who have lost loved ones. In fact when she was a toddler, she often went with us, "to love on people" who were sad because someone they loved had gone on to the "party" with Jesus.

Her first experience with one of her own loved ones dying, came when she was two years old. My Uncle Tommy died. We told her that he had went to the "party" to be with Jesus. This however, would be the first time she would be exposed to the whole family gathering all day for 2 days, type of mourning. As we were driving to My aunt Doris' house, I wanted her to know what to expect. I told her there would be a lot of family there. Some would be laughing and telling stories about Uncle Tommy. Some would be crying because they are missing Uncle Tommy, even though they know he is with Jesus, they miss him.

We had not been there long when my Uncle Mern, from yesterday's story came in the house. He was crying. Zoie watched him. He sat down on the couch and Zoie immediately got up and walked over to him, laid her hand on his knee and asked, "Uncle Mern, are you sad that Uncle Tommy died?" Now, I have to be honest right now, I held my breath and maybe even called her name for her to come back over to me. I just didn't know what she was going to do. In fact the whole room got quiet as they turned to watch.
He answered her, "Yes, baby I am." She looked up at him and asked, "Can I pray for You?" He smiled at her and said, "Yes." Then she did! Out loud. I remember it word for word the way only a momma can. "Dear Lord, We want to thank you for taking Uncle Tommy to be at the Party. But Lord we are sad because we miss him. Can you help us not be sad, because he is with you and one day we will be too. In Jesus name, Amen."
My mouth flew open. I was in awe. God had spoken clearly through my two year old what many in that room needed to hear. Most of us adults, though we believed it, would not have said it. I ashamed to say, I would not have back then. Some in that room was not believers and I would have kept quiet. (It is hard when your family redicules you for your strong faith.) Not after that.
It shook everyone in the room.

Pray that this time too God will use a child to lead them. Us adults, who have a little fear sharing our faith and that those who do not yet understand or want to believe the truth about Jesus will now believe!

That's what Aunt Lily would want. That's what God wants. It is not what the enemy wants. But the enemy doesn't win!

Thanks so much.
I love you
Pamela

10 comments:

Kelly said...

Your comments on Zoie reminded me of what I read in Rebecca Ingram Powell's book. That we should raise smart kids, not safe kids. To keep her from the funeral would keep her "safe." But you have given her the correct information to make her smart, which in turn will keep her safe.

(I may not be getting Rebecca's premise exactly right, but you get the general idea).

I'm sorry for your loss. I hope Zoie voice will be a sweet sweet sound in God's ear.

Angela said...

Oh Pamela your story brought tears to my eyes. What a sweet girl your Zoie is. I will be praying for your family!
Love,
Anglea

Sharon said...

Please know that I am praying for the family... And what a sweetie, Zoie seems to be a very smart girl. I can understand you wanting to keep her safe.
Lord bless this family and you Pamela!

My ADHD Me said...

That was such a wonderful story about Zoie. Our children are wiser than we usually give them credit for.

I am very sorry for your loss but am happy for your Aunt Lily, who gets to go to a party with Jesus!

Anonymous said...

Pamela, I love the idea of heaven being a "party" with Jesus.

I will be praying for Zoie and Mike too. Especially for Zoie to be strong in Jesus and for Mike to find his deep southern gospel voice.

Love ya'll!

Edie said...

Oh my goodness this so made me cry. You have taught your daughter well and God has obviously designed her to encourage others. He will do His work.

I'm sorry for your loss but glad that you will all be together again for all of eternity.

Beverly said...

Praying for you and your family. We missed you tonite!

On Purpose said...

Zoie...as I read your precious momma's blog today...I can't help but cry...yes there are tears streaming down my cheeks...my tears are tears of joy...joy for a child who truly gets it...you see you get it...my precious Zoie...and you get it so much that at the age of two you were already sharing it with others. I know today that you are sharing it with others who have attended Aunt Lily's Celebration. You will be loving on those around you. You shine so bright Zoie that I can't help but want to shine too! I love you...you are a beautiful and precious girl!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Zoie who through her obedience and faith in you, is making this world a better place-Amen

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Pam..
I will keep your family in prayer.. Like the bible says.. A child shall lead them. The Lord uses our precious children in the most awesome ways to bring joy even to a hurting heart.

Hugz Lorie

Jules from "The Roost" said...

What a beautiful story! I am sorry for the loss in your family. Out of the mouth of babes......