A Heavy Heart

I love playing hide and seek with Shep. It is one of my favorite activities with him and we play almost everyday. I am always the hider and Shep is always the seeker. Most days, it works out great. He is happy and runs around the house hunting me. However, some days are hard. Shep gets scared during our game and he forgets to call for me. Calling for me is key to the success of the game -- especially with an (almost) 2-year old. I always answer him when he calls my name.  Today, he sounded panicked when he couldn't find me. When I heard the panic in his voice, I ran to him and held him close. I reminded him that I will always answer when he calls for me. And in that moment, it hit me - that is just like our relationship with God. He always answers when we call on Him. Even when things are hard.



This week has been hard. Really hard. I have been struggling to keep in the tears, and I have failed miserably. 

Tuesday started like any normal day. I went to my weekly bible study, BSF, as we studied Revelation. I walked in and sat next to my new friend Brittany. She is one of most beautiful women I have ever known and the more I get to know her, the more I realize that she is as beautiful inside as she is on the outside.



Our class was talking about having an eternal perspective and the things of heaven. I shared about my own personal fear of suffering as we study the book of Revelation. In the middle of class, my friend Brittany got a call that changed her life forever. First, it is important to know that Brittany is 26 and she is the mother to 3 boys under 3. Her oldest turned 3 yesterday, actually. Her youngest is just 3 months old. 

Due to random, unfortunate, and tragic circumstances, Brittany's husband passed away from an aneurism on Tuesday. Patrick, Brittany's husband, was the sole provider for his loving wife and 3 precious little boys.

The last few days have been so hard for many people, but mostly for my sweet friend and her family.

As you can imagine, there are so many tangible needs that this family has right now. If you would like to join Will and me in supporting this young family, please find more information below:

There are 3 ways to give:

1. Go to any Wells Fargo and make a deposit into the Patrick Price memorial fund.
   
2. Send a check payable to Brittany Brummel to 12195 Hway 192 Ste 114 #354 Woodstock, GA 30188 (You could send a check via BillPay here!)
   
3. Utilize their "Go Fund Me" account at: https://www.gofundme.com/965bk4gs. Note: This is the least helpful way to give as a portion of your gift goes to administrative costs.

My heart has been heavy over the last few days. It has been heavy for my friend, but also heavy thinking about the possibility of losing Will and the harsh reality that our days our numbered. I have also felt convicted of my own selfish and self-centered tendencies.

A tragedy like this really puts life into perspective. But I am thinking back to my hide and seek game with Shep and I am reminded that God always answers our crys for help. He is always present in times of trouble - we just have to call out to Him.

This week, things do not make sense. There is pain, loss, and suffering, but there is also a God who is ready to comfort and to be present in the midst of the pain. And I am grateful for that.

My sweet friend Brittany is also grateful for a good God in this time of tragedy. When talking about the tragic events of Tuesday and the current state of her heart, her response was:

"I don't have one regret. He lived every day for Jesus and our family. He challenged me in my own life and walk every single day. I know how much he loved us all. Everything in my world changed today. But God is the same. And He is good."

I hope that you will join me in praying for Brittany, her boys, and all of the people that have been impacted by this story.  If you are able, it would be great if we could also support this sweet family financially through one of the ways mentioned above.  Even a gift of $10 could have a big impact for this young family.

Hope floats,
Meg