Please keep these verses in mind as you read the rest of my ramblings.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
I Peter 4:12-13
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
Okay here are some blessings that I have seen God provide through the trial of Joel's death.
1.) My aunt's son, his wife and kids came to visit our family. This was my Aunt's first time meeting her new grandson, and also the first time she had spoken to her son in years. Through Joel's death there was reconciliation and healing in a broken relationship.
2.) My family can now be a testimony to those facing similar situations. Recently in fact, my grandparents friend's son had passed away. My dad went to their house to tell the family about their son's passing. My dad offered comfort that no one else could have. My dad was in their shoes a year ago thinking and feeling the same things, but through Joel's death my dad was able to be a testimony to a hurting family.
3.) My first dad's (he passed away when I was two) father, my grandpa never goes to church, and to be honest I do not think he is a Christian. But just last week my grandma informed me he is starting to go to church! Joel's death planted a seed in my grandpa.
4.) If anyone reading this knew my brother, well he was a character! He was intelligent, hilarious, handsome, and a natural leader. However, my family and I never really met his friends.
My church was packed the day of the funeral, there was a line that went out the door, and took two hours for the line to slow down! Joel left a legacy. He will never be forgotten. Joel's death left an impact on thousands of people. Also through Joel's death, I became friends with his best friend. Whenever I really miss Joel, I will talk to this guy. Joel's death also gave Joel's friends a chance to love my family, and a chance for my family to witness.
5.) Not only has my relationship with my family gotten stronger, but my relationships with my best friend, and my boyfriend have grown massively. I am not gonna lie, relationships are a struggle after you suffer a death of a loved one, but writing this blog has made me notice how strong my relationships have become. My family, best friend, and my boyfriend have all seen me at my worst and yet they are there right by my side ever single day. Through Joel's death my relationships were strengthened.
6.) The night before Joel died I remember I was on Facebook talking to a friend and I remember sending her this quote," In order to break our wills to His, God brings us to the foot of the Cross and there shows us what real brokenness is. We see those wounded Hands and Feet, that Face of Love crowned with thorns and we see the complete brokenness of the One who said, “Not My will, but Thine be done,” as He drank the bitter cup of our sin to its dregs. So the way to be broken is to look on Him and to realize it was our sin which nailed Him there. Then as we see the love and brokenness of the God who died in our place, our hearts will become strangely melted and we will want to be broken for Him and we shall pray, “Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord, Oh, to be lost in Thee, Oh, that it might be no more I, But Christ that lives in me.” And some of us have found that there is no prayer that God is so swift to answer as the prayer that He might break us." The next day God broke me. I am still devastated over Joel's death, but I know God has a purpose. Through Joel's death my relationship with Christ has changed and is continuing to grow.
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