In the last five weeks, I have officiated 3 weddings and 2 funerals. All five were so meaningful and celebrations in there own way. One of the funerals was for my grandmother who lived a full and rich life up until the last few years. Tonight was the beautiful wedding for Brett and Tera Hogan at the Barton Creek Resort.
This afternoon we said goodbye to a baby named Asher.
From the words of his mother Jenny:
“Asher Isaac Davis was born sleeping on April 8th, 2013 at 5:42am, and Paco and I spent the next glorious 36 hours with him. It was the most AMAZING 36 hours of my life….
He had perfect hands and feet, the sweetest face and kissable cheeks, a cute furrowed brow and his body was so soft with very fine hair. His wavy sandy blond hair was gorgeous….
Well, as has happened so many times before during Asher’s time here with us, the choice was made for us with help from God and little Asher. When the doctor did the sonogram, I noticed immediately when he viewed the heart that there was no movement and the doctor’s face changed. I knew then that Asher had passed to a better life, the life that we all long for. It hurts so much, but it also gives us such peace to know that he never suffered in this life, and we will have no regrets.
Of course, we are both crying and hurting now, but we will get through this with God’s help. We love our little boy and we are so thankful for our time with him. We said our goodbyes yesterday, and we are so happy for him to be in Heaven.
From another mom with a child who like Asher was born sleeping:
‘Carrying my little one to term gave me the opportunity to “mother” her until she didn’t need me anymore. That knowledge made it infinitely easier to make peace with her death.’”
Watching this amazing couple keep baby Asher to term and face this challenging situation with so much faith, gratitude, and hope has been remarkable. They have inspired all of those who know them and know the story of baby Asher!
For more of their story in their own words, go to http://www.babyasher.blog.com/.
When I do not know to how to respond and react in the midst of pain, the Scriptures give us insight, wisdom, and even the words to say when we cannot find our own.
We may never know why little Asher was not long for this world, but we can trust the One who does know:
All little ones are a miracle. Everyone is valuable. From Psalm 139:13-16 –
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
After waiting for little Asher to enter this world, now he is waiting on us.
From 2 Samuel 12:21-23 –
21 His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!”
22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
We do not fully understand life and death the way God does.
From Psalm 116:15 –
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.
The example of Enoch:
Genesis 5:24 & Hebrews 11:5
Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away….
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
The next world is far better than the one in which we live now.
From Revelation 21:1-6 –
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
We do not understand why things like this may happen, but we can trust the One who created us and loves us.
So grateful for the example of baby Asher’s parents. Appreciate your prayers for them, their families, and their friends.
