Sunday, August 24, 2008

sweet Joseph

Just when we begin to decide we've acquired enough spiritual maturity to wrestle with the "big questions" in life, the Lord will be faithful to remind us we don't have it all figured out and He's going to be a mystery until we see Him face to face.

Precious Joseph Peabody, whom I blogged about months ago after his diagnosis with a brain tumor at the tender age of three, passed away this past Thursday. He had celebrated his fourth birthday Wednesday. Conor and I have just returned from the visitation. To say I felt like an idiot trying to articulate anything of worth to sweet GIllian and Allen is a vast understatement. They will probably remember little of this night and be anxious to forget what they do recall. Allen's sister, Jennifer, reiterated to me what I knew for the first time - and, I pray, the last - almost a year ago when we handed our sweet Copeland over to the funeral home: death is horrid. Ugly. Evil. It's truly wielded in the fires of hell, meant to bind us forever in hopeless captivity. Jesus, Jesus, how we trust Thee! How we've proved Thee o'er and o'er! Praise be to God that this is not all there is... and what is to come can be incomparably greater than what we know now, if only we will throw ourselves at His scarred feet and breathe the words, "I need You. Save me. I cannot do this anymore on my own."

Pray for the Peabody family. Pray they will be comforted, somehow. Pray they will see Joseph in their dreams. Pray they will be able to find steadiness in their moments of panic, in the moments they feel the sudden, terrifying reality of separation from their sweet boy set in. I can attest to the fact that there is nothing like it. Pray Jesus gives them an amazing sense of peace and knits them close to Himself. Please visit their blog, www.prayforjoseph.blogspot.com, if you desire to leave a word of encouragement or peace. The next few months will be hardest, in some ways, as their world has been ripped at the seams while ours continues on in plodding regularity.

Come, Lord Jesus, come. Please come.


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51 comments:

  1. tillisfam5August 24, 2008 at 9:25 PM

    We will be lifting the Peabody family up in prayer tonight. Thank you Boothe.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sarah PartainAugust 24, 2008 at 10:50 PM

    Thank you for this post, for translating a language that most of us do not know: the experience of losing your child. Thank you for comforting them, for walking with them, so that your experience was not in vain (as you already knew). Now we know how to continue to pray for them.

    ReplyDelete
  3. christiAugust 24, 2008 at 11:09 PM

    praying ~

    ReplyDelete
  4. RachelAugust 25, 2008 at 6:43 AM

    I will continue praying for this family. A good friend of mine works at New Hope Academy and has been updating me on his journey. So glad to hear he is healed and whole and celebrating a wonderful birthday in heaven. May God continue to grant peace and comfort to his precious family.
    Hugs and Prayers
    Rachel in PA

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kim (marygracesummons.blogspot.com)August 25, 2008 at 5:18 PM

    Boothe,
    I will be praying for this sweet family. I am also continuing to pray for your new baby girl and your pregnancy.
    With love,
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  6. Elizabeth SAugust 25, 2008 at 5:46 PM

    I can't even begin to imagine. I have a 3 yr old little boy...I don't even know what to say. Kind of makes the discussions of the last few days seem insignificant. I will be praying for them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. RandiAugust 25, 2008 at 8:33 PM

    Boothe,
    Thank you for such a beautiful post. God has given you a gift; Joseph's passing has hit me very hard as I have twin boys who are turning two on Sunday. I have followed Joseph's journey and prayed for him and the family since you posted his story on your blog and I thank you for doing that as God used your blog to help bring people to Joseph and his trial. People who haven't prayed in years began praying because they saw God in Joseph's life. Thank you Boothe for typing this post.
    Randi Booth

    ReplyDelete
  8. AshleyAugust 25, 2008 at 9:21 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AshleyAugust 25, 2008 at 9:21 PM

    Thank you for this post. I am Allen's cousin and I found your blog several months ago. I, too, felt like an idiot who just stood there and hugged everybody, but said nothing. They know that I'm so sorry and that they're in my prayers, so saying those words seemed unnecessary. Seeing the small casket was really tough. Did you go to the funeral? I'm going to post the lyrics to the song Allen wrote and sang on my blog. I'm so thankful that the body of Christ is able to use the internet to connect to one another and to pray for one another.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Tillie ParmarAugust 25, 2008 at 11:24 PM

    Boothe, your blog is such a blessing to me (I found it through a friend). I have fortunately never experienced the loss of a child, but seeing your dedication to your God (our God, but your personal relationship with God) in your trials is an encouragement to me. Your dedication to the Word of God is amazing. Thankyou for blessing us with your blog. A sister in Christ.

    ReplyDelete
  11. donnyandkimAugust 25, 2008 at 11:54 PM

    Boothe,
    I am a friend of Gillian and her sisters...and somehow, in my re-reading of Joseph's blog and shedding a few tears, I ended up on your blog. Thanks for your story. I am drawn to the Lord by women like you and Gillian who will open yourselves...and, as a result, people like me are changed. Thanks.
    Kim Friederichsen

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousAugust 27, 2008 at 12:11 AM

    I will be holding sweet Joseph and the Peabody family tightly in my prayers. I am so very sorry for their loss and your pain.

    God Bless you all.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sarah-JaneAugust 27, 2008 at 9:38 PM

    this is Gill's sister.
    thanks for sharing their need.
    I think I saw you at the visitation, but I don't know you.
    I also read your post below.
    you have a great way with words.
    I enjoy reading what you write.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sarah-JaneAugust 27, 2008 at 9:39 PM

    also,
    randibisme often comments on Joseph's blog.
    do you know her? if you do could you send me her email or viceversa.
    lexvols@gmail.com
    thankyou so much.

    ReplyDelete
  15. EmilyAugust 28, 2008 at 12:01 AM

    Absolutely praying for this precious family.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Joe HopeAugust 28, 2008 at 11:22 AM

    Boothe:

    Thank you for sharing all that you have learned by enduring suffering abiding in Jesus! You nailed death and our triumph over death in Jesus.

    Joe Hope

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousAugust 31, 2008 at 12:48 PM

    We will be praying for this family, and with your encouragement they will get through.

    May God Be With them

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousAugust 31, 2008 at 4:14 PM

    Thank you so much for this post! We are praying for your little girl and the Peabody family. I have a toddler and a 6 month old, so I haven't been getting much sleep these days. My little guy has been very cranky lately. He has been waking me up at crazy hours and I have a tendency to get frustrated after so little sleep and so many tears. But your post made me cherish those late night interruptions. I want to cherish every moment with these wonderful blessings, even the one's that are chaotic and sleep deprived. I'm in the middle of some chaos right now, actually. I need to go cherish it. Thank you, and God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Misty RiceSeptember 2, 2008 at 12:38 PM

    I found your blog site on Daniella Summers who I have become (blog/e-friends) with. Some how yours caught my attention and if you don't mind may I ask what happend to one of your daughters that is with our heavenly father today?

    I like your blog and will continue to read more.

    Thanks and God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AmandaSeptember 9, 2008 at 9:59 PM

    Boothe,

    I came across your blog from Audrey Caroline's blog. This seems rather odd, but was your maiden name Blanton? If so, I live in Amarillo and grew up and still attend Central Church of Christ where your grandparent's used to go. Not too many people have the name Boothe with an e on the end!

    Even if you are not Boothe Blanton, I am so glad that your pregnancy is going so well! I will be excited to hear of your new arrival in a couple of months!

    Amanda in Amarillo

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2008 at 9:41 PM

    Boothe,
    I have kept up with your blog for well over a year now. You and your family have reached so many people. I pray that you will begin prayers for this family-- http://roomforatleastonemore.blogspot.com/. They are in need of God's promises!!! If you don't mind, please share this with all those that you and your family have reached.
    You may already know them but if not. I thought of you when I was sent the email to begin prayers!!

    Praying for your Blessing that will arrive at Thanksgiving!!

    In God's Love!!

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