Leaning on the Lord

 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6

This Amplified Bible version on my favorite, most needed, bible verse came through my “on this day” section of Facebook this morning and I have to think in someway it is a sign.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord…do not rely on your own insight or understanding…

I went to bed last night asking “why?” 

And I woke up this morning with an overwhelming feeling that I will never know, that I am just to trust that the Lord has a plan for our pain. 

My mind went to something I wrote last February on the anniversary of James’ death: 

I’m not meant to know all the answers, but I am meant to have faith that He knew the plan for James’ life. 

That same feeling rushed over me as I processed the news of the passing of Samantha’s only child, Briauna. 

You can read about Samantha and also James in this post I wrote about Tragic Mistakes. 

http://www.danaraeblog.com/2009/03/tragic-mistakes.html

Matt and I have a difference of opinion when it comes to heaven. I am not sure why I take peace in the thought that my loved ones are up there looking down on me, praying for me, cheering for me, but Matt feels that Heaven is so amazing that our loved ones are so involved in the glories that thoughts us do not pass their minds. 

I have to just think that Samantha was saddened to receive news that her sweet daughter was joining her at just fourteen. I know that Samantha wished for Briauna to have a long, full life.  Fourteen, that also leads me to question, why do some get such a short life? 

Gracious Lord, 

Thank you for your continuous grace even when we sit in question of your plans. Lord, please help me to process this sadness. Please, Lord, help me to find pieces of you in this pain. Please heal the hearts of Briauna and Samantha’s family today. Please bring peace to Samantha’s mother, Kathy, as she faces burying another one of her sweet girls today. I just ask that you be with them, they may question your plans as well, but work in their hearts, Lord and help them to not stray from you at this time. 

In Jesus Name, Amen

After writing this I searched and search for a picture I have a Samantha and Briauna from Shelby’s 3rd birthday. Of course I found things I had been missing for months, but cannot find the picture - it’s that always the way it is?