On Sunday, July 31st the family woke up early in order to get to the starting point for the Ride. Some last minute errands were ran, breakfast was largely skipped. Even though we were all excited to see how God would provide through the ride I think we were also a bit apprehensive of the emotion that would accompany the day. It’s still hard, especially for DJ, to talk about why we’re doing this, about why Derek isn’t here to laugh and play with Sammy.
This run was largely organized by members of ABATE, particularly Karen Thacker. We’re so grateful for her passion and dedication in organizing the event, I can’t imagine how we would have done it otherwise.
God is kind, friends. The turn out was great, and the funds raised will certainly help in the fight for Sammy’s safety, the people I spoke with were incredibly sweet and genuinely horrified at why we would need to have an event like this.
To all the people who donated money, to all the people praying for us, and to the organizations that gave us donations – thank you. Thank you for partnering with us in this.
It is real hard to understand how God would allow this to happen to Derek he was a baby. He shouldn’t of had to suffer. And why God allows people to put Sammy through this. And allow a fight that cost thousands and thousands of dollars just to stay with his Daddy. I will never understand it. God is suppose to be a wonderful God? My Opinion….
Mom, I love you. I know that this is especially hard on DJ, you and Dad but…
God is a wonderful God. What has happened is horrific (even that word doesn’t properly describe it), but we have to trust Him. We have to remember that God is using this to work grace in our lives (especially those most hurting – ie DJ), that regardless of how Derek got there he is with Jesus now. If he could come back, do you think he would want to? He’s with the creator of the universe, the lover of his soul.
We would be wise to remember Job’s sufferings in the midst of this. He not only lost one child, but ALL of them. We have Sammy, and he is a gift.
God’s purpose at the end of all of this, is that we would draw nearer to Him, that we would see His compassion and mercy, that we would trust that these things that were true in January are still true today.
Some really wonderful resources that have helped me
God Moves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pTEboDF090
Job: The Revelation of God in Suffering – http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/job-the-revelation-of-god-in-suffering
Safe in the Arms of God – http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Arms-God-Truth-Heaven/dp/0785263438
A great overview of God’s seeming inaction during tragedy – http://theresurgence.com/2011/09/04/a-letter-about-9-11-gods-sovereignty-and-mystery?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheResurgence+%28The+Resurgence%29&utm_content=Google+Reader