Praise You in this storm

*(Keeping this post sticky)*

Originally posted 25/03/2008

My beautiful brother in Christ and very dear friend Steve, husband to Kristy, has gone to be with our Father in Heaven.

We're called to be '.......patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need..Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn' (Romans 12: 12-13, 15). It is our duty now to surround Steve and Kristy's families with God's love and light, to be His people in their time of need. I rejoice in knowing Steve is Home, but my heart breaks for Kristy and their families.

I keep thinking of the Casting Crows song 'Praise You in This Storm', but I can't help but wonder - how does the world continue to turn when your world has been completely turned upside down?

See ya, Stevie, I'm going to miss you mate.

Interceding

Please continue to pray for this beautiful girl, who needs us all to stand for her and with her in prayer.

'...but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him,

because He always lives to intercede for them

(Hebrews 7:24-25)

'For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.'

(1 Corinthians 3:9)

Awakening

My heart woke up tonight, and the tears finally came.

I have no words.

Power in simplicity

For us all.



(This is also the song that is the first track on my music player)

The mystery of grief

As soon as I heard Steve was missing on Sunday, I went into 'shut down', into hiberation, maintenance mode, waiting for direction for the next step. I had a tear a couple of times, but it was just in passing. It was like I was waiting for the final outcome before I allowed myself to feel, to know where to expend my energies.
Today is Thursday, and I'm still yet to feel. I feel like I don't have a right to feel, because as much as this has all impacted my life, it's nothing compared to how it affects Kristy and Steve's family. I loved Steve as a brother in Christ, and I know he is now in Paradise, and somehow, I don't grieve for him. But I grieve for the gaping hole he has left behind in all our lives, and for the future Kristy dreamed of for so long that has now been altered forever.
I grieve, but I don't feel. I can shed tears over the movie I'm watching now (Calendar Girls), but I can't cry over losing someone who had an influence on my life. But I feel that this all doesn't matter, because my grief pales in comparison to Kristy's and Steve's family.
I know God has purpose in this. I know Kristy is struggling in her relationship with God right now, and perhaps His purpose for me now is to stand for her, when she can't, to pray for her, to pray that she knows God is with her, even when she's questioning that. I pray that I can be God's light and love to Kristy and the families and our friends, as He call us to share . I have no idea how to do that, how to be that exactly, all I know to do is pray '....so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.' (2 Corinthians 1:4)

For Kristy

(Photo courtesy of Matt @ Moorak Mumblings)

Sunday morning at church, Kristy told me she can't keep up with my life on my blog, as I haven't posted for ages. I thought then that I'd do a catch up post and call it 'Just for you, Kristy'. I never thought I'd be writing the post I am now.

Kristy's husband (of 10 weeks) Steve is a dear friend of mine, he was one of the first friends I made when I started going to our church and has been such an encouragement in my walk with Christ. Steve had been waiting for God, in His perfect timing, to introduce him to the girl who would be his wife, and a year ago this is exactly what happened when Steve and Kristy met.

Steve is currently missing in the Glenelg river, after their families went boating and fishing down the river Sunday afternoon. If you happen by here, please, please, please pray for the search teams to find him, he has been missing since about 4:30 Sunday afternoon, now on Tuesday morning we're still just.......waiting. This is the most bizarre, surreal situation I've ever been in, it's the national news story you hear that happens to other people, and I cannot imagine what Kristy and Steve's family are going through right now. I know God has Steve safe in hand, he loves God with all his heart and mind and strength, and God will carry Kristy and their families through this, whatever the outcome.