Evan

On February 23, we were expecting to welcome my nephew, Evan Charles, into the world. Instead, baby Evan went home to be with the Lord. There was a knot in his umbilical cord, and he died that morning before they could deliver him.

These past few weeks have been very difficult as we all have mourned the loss of this precious boy. However, there is so much comfort in knowing that Evan is with Jesus and never had the chance to be touched by sin. As much as he is loved here on Earth, we can not comprehend how much our Heavenly Father loves him.

His memorial was last Tuesday and it was a beautiful service. The pastor did a wonderful job. Some of the things he shared in his message have really stuck with me. The first was that God did not take Evan, but He received him. Once again, it is so comforting to be assured that Evan will spend eternity in Paradise. He said that there are a few things people say like "God needed another flower in his garden" or that "God needed Evan more than we did" and these things are not true. God does not need Evan more than us and if he wanted another flower, then the creator of the universe can make one in an instant. Evan is with the Lord because that was God's plan for him. Whatever my nephew's purpose here on Earth, it has been or is being fulfilled. He shared that this kind of experience can make us bitter or can make us better. It can make us cold, or it can make us compassionate. We should honor Evan's memory by allowing it to make us better and more compassionate.

Everyday I think about Evan. I think about my brother Rob and Melissa, and how they must be feeling. I love them both so much. I pray that this experience brings us all closer together as a family and also closer to God. I am constantly reminding myself that God understands the loss of a child. He has been there. He understands everything we are going through. He sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins. He sacrificed His baby boy for our salvation. What an amazing gift. If we acknowledge this gift and commit ourselves to the Lord, then we too can spend eternity in Heaven.

Evan, I love you. You are such a beautiful little boy. When I held you here on this Earth, I cried tears of sadness. I look forward to holding you again some day and crying tears of joy.

Isaiah 40:18-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.