Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

This weekend has been good. Really hard, but good. We traveled to Murfreesboro Friday and arrived near the end of the visitation for Hayden (see previous post). We struggled through the pain and sorrow and deeply hurt for those closest to Hayden. But in the midst of the sorrow, God was present and obvious. Our Awesome God was faithful to draw Hayden to Himself in his last few days on this earth and leave three journal entries behind for all of us to see the Lord's handiwork. As much as it hurts and will continue hurting, we are trusting the Lord and praying:

Lord, as you saw Your work in Hayden's life through to completion, see the work You began in his death through to completion. We know that Your plans are not our plans, and Your thoughts are not our thoughts. We saw You at work in saving Hayden and anticipate Hayden's story leading to salvation for others. As hard as it will be, we know that You are still good. We pray for Your will to be done on this earth and Your kingdom to come in the lives touched by Hayden's story. Thank You for Hayden. Amen.

On a happier note, we were able to see Derek and Karen Kramer's brand new baby boy. We stopped by the hospital in Nashville on our way home to meet Timothy Michael Kramer. He was born Friday at 1:28 PM and tipped the scales at a whopping 5 lbs 6 oz (I'm told it's all muscle). It was good to rejoice with such dear friends at a precious new life, even while mourning the passing of another friend. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!