Friday, April 9, 2010

Footprints




This morning while I was meditating on God's Word, I began to think back on all of the times in my life that my Lord and Savior helped me through some most difficult days. I began to think of the words in the poem "Footprints", where God had never abandoned His child, but was in fact carrying him when he was in his darkest hours.

Today is my son Jim's birthday. Even though it has been over six years now that Jim took his own life, today it seems like it was just yesterday.

Father God, there are so many blessings that you have given to me over the years. I thank you daily Lord that before Jim died he accepted You as his Savior and Lord. Heavenly Father, I thank you for carrying me through those rough years of my life. I thank you Lord for giving me the peace, joy and happiness that only an intimate relationship with You can bring. Love, Your child, Lloyd

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

I noticed your prayer request on Fearless Friday and just wanted to drop a note that I am praying for you and your loved ones today. To have the strength to even write on such a day is truly a testimony that you are standing on the solid Rock.

Your prayer of gratitude in the midst of so much pain is ministering to many on this day. God is smiling over you dear one. Being a mother who has watched her own son battle many dark foes, I am filled with compassion for you and your wife today. Rejoice in the knowledge that a great family reunion awaits you in heaven for an eternity. The best is yet to come!

In Him,
One Heart

Anonymous said...

As I was praying a verse came to my heart for you. My own son shared this verse last year during a difficult time for him and it has become my favorite among so many favorites.

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”--Revelation 21:4

May this bless you today.

Aritha Vermeulen said...

Dear friend,

I wish you lots of strength on this day. The poem is very beautiful. In the Netherlands we encourage each other with this poem, in difficult periods of life.
Suicide is difficult and our 'victim' leaves us with many questions.
Why O God, why this way? After this (life) you will understand.

Warm greetings: Aritha

Solid Rock or Sinking Sand said...

Thanks so much Aritha and One Heart for your visit and heartfelt comments and prayers. God bless both of you. Lloyd

Angela said...

Thank you Lloyd for letting us know you needed prayers..I see one of my dear prayer warriors has already come to lift you and yours up ...and also cover you in our Precious Father's Word...

I have been praying for you since I opened up your email this morning..((hugs))

Now that I've come to read your post I thank God also that Jim knew our Precious Father....

My best friend and a love of my life since grade 4 also took his own life. Like you, I have thanked God SO many times for His peace, His joy and His comfort during the first few years of Monty's passing, and also giving me the memory of our last time together where he gave me a hug and told me he loved me..(words I had waited for for YEARS)....those were his last words to me that night..and a week later I received the call he had taken his life...

God has comforted me SO much during those first few years...

I love that poem...it has brought much comfort and strength to my spirit many times...

((hugs))

alicia said...

My heart aches for you on your son's birthday. I am sure as parents there is no greater pain than that. You are in my prayers today.

Beth in NC said...

I saw your comment at Free Spirit Haven and wanted to say I'm praying God's comfort for you and your wife today. I can't imagine the pain.

God bless you both,
Beth

Lucy said...

Lloyd there was a period in my life when I was close to taking my life. I was being badly bullied at school by peers and a teacher.The school wasn't helping at all and I couldn't leave as it was the best school in the whole provence.

It left me with a lot of health issues- OCD, self harm, social anxiety, a nervous breakdown and PTSD.The local health services wouldn't help but my family and friends were an amazing help so with them on my side I pulled through and went to art uni.

So I can understand a little how you are feeling (regret, guilt, sorrow).I hope you did something happy today though.Your son after all is in heaven!

Solid Rock or Sinking Sand said...

I want to thank all of you for your prayers that are lifting my wife and me up this day. May God continue to bless each one of you. Lloyd

Lucy said...

I forgot to say you shall be in my prayers.

Angela said...

Thank you so much Lloyd for linking up at Fearless Friday...

Sheila Deeth said...

Wishing you well and thanking you for the encouragement of those wonderful words.

DUSTINE said...

May God wrap his loving arms around you and your wife and family today and always.

Anonymous said...

God be with you and your wife. May the peace only HE can give be with you this weekend.
God bless,
b

INSIDE THE SHRINK said...

Ony the heart of a parent can know the piercing pain of the loss of a child. Our God is the God of all comfort. I have such respect for you that you accept His comfort and in spite of your pain, you encourage others. You are truly a witness of the love and power of God. Thank you.

Wylie @ Shout A Joyful Noise! said...

Praying for the continued peace that passes all understanding to be with you & yours. I am so thankful for God's precious promises. Blessings to you...
Wylie

Gregg Metcalf said...

I am very sorry for your loss. I trust that God will bless you today. Even in the dark hours He is worthy of trust and praise. You are in my prayers.

Chin chin said...

I so love this song "Footprints in the Sand". It is wonderful to know that in the times we need someone the most in our life, He is there. Sometimes no words can ease the pain (especially of losing a loved one) but His presence brings so much comfort. Great to know that God healed the pain. God bless you, Lloyd.

Pia said...

wow! that was tough. but God has never left you all these years. thank you for sharing your heart to us.

Robyn Campbell said...

Thank you for the visit and follow over at my blog, Putting Pen To Paper. As I peruse your blog I am struck by one IMPORTANT element.

You are truly taking the GREAT COMMISSION very seriously. Thank you for that. I will pray for you and your family in the coming weeks, days, months, and years. You are written in my prayer book that is tucked inside my Bible. God Bless you my new friend. We shall meet in person one day and I will tell you what you did for me on this Monday morning. *hugs*

Peggy said...

Blessings Lloyd... I cannot begin to express how my heart aches for your loss. I too am dealing with that same loss of a dear friend of 13 yrs... and know that this was God directed that you visited "The Power of Your Love", which isn't even my regular, "home" blog... nor did you visit the other team blog that makes more sense, "The Lighthouse of Prayer" because that is usually where I link up with Angela and Fearless Friday but did not this past week when clearly I should have done so.

No, you chose to come to "The Power of Your Love" and "WE CROWN YOU"... all very significant if you think about it.

I love this poem and have used it myself on my blog and in my life.
I carry a card with it on... since I also thought about ending my own life 13 yrs. ago when I met my friend above and believed he was the answer to my prayer to God. Then he ends up ending his own life and I'm the one to find him.

So I know the pain. I know the questions. I know the despair.
I also know the Comforter! He is no stranger to this. Nor are we, who have the privilege to call Him Savior! We can only hold on that God heard their prayer to accept Jesus & we WILL see them in heaven.

Your prayer is beautiful...the HOPE you share in your words is admirable ...the celebration of Jim's birthday must be more grand in heaven each year as we long to see them again and Our Savior's face and grace!

I shared for the first & only time about this on my regular blog here:
http://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2010/03/do-not-stand-at-my-grave-and-weep.html

I hope that you & your family have been a support to one another as you grieve. I love this quote you share:
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!"

It reminds me of an inspirational movie called "The Dash".

This is so great of an encouragement for others that are dealing with suicide and loss of a loved one. But you are on the Solid Rock and not in sinking sand...so stand! So thankful that He carries us!

Thank you Lloyd! Thank you for sharing a difficult moment and what carries you through...May Our heavenly Father wrap His arms around you, your loved ones and Jim
as you shine His light into this darkness! Too many loosing their lives in despair...it should not be! May You find strength & comfort in God's Word! I'm praying but you are more than welcome to come to The Lighthouse of Prayer 24/7 and leave a prayer to the throne of God:)
http://thelighthouseofprayer.blogspot.com/
or even a "Letter to God" here:
http://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2010/04/moving-forward.html
I know that it would bless many as you have today for me, even though you wrote this on April 9th. May God continue to carry you & yours!

Peace in Jesus Christ,
Peggy
"amazing Grace...Mazes, Messes, Miracles"
"The Power of Your Love"
"The Lighthouse of Prayer"
"MISSIONS"

* sorry this was so long... better to have emailed it...:)

Amy said...

Thank you so much for praying for my nephew last week. I am happy to report that he was released from the hospital today and is doing much better.

I will pray for you today and the loss you have endured.
Blessings,
Amy

Terri Tiffany said...

Thank you for visiting my blog today. You have a really awesome one here. I am so sorry that you and your wife and family had to lose your son, especially the way he died. It's difficult to understand why, isn't it? But I understand the low moments we can have even as Christians.
I'm thankful you lean on God to see you through.
Blessings!

Kimberly Rae said...

I have always loved this poem, Footprints in the Sand...

I can't begin to imagine what you went thru regarding your son...Praise God for giving you the strength and peace to carry forward.

Solid Rock or Sinking Sand said...

I want to personally thank each of you for visiting my blog and for the heartfelt comments to my wife and me regarding my son's death. It reminds me of God's promise that when we get to Heaven, there will be no more pain and He will wipe away all of our tears. Well, while we are still on this earth, God also heals the pain and wipes away our tears. God is so wonderful, full of Grace, Mercy and Love. God's blessings to all of you. Lloyd

Lisa Howard said...

Lloyd,
I was excited to see that I had a new follower, and came over to visit your blog...only to read this. I am so sorry for your loss. I can imagine no greater pain than to lose a child. Praise God that He is redeeming you and your wife and giving you hope and peace that only comes from Him. I will be a faithful reader of your blog!
Lisa

Lisa Howard said...

Thank you for visiting and following my blog...I had to come over and visit yours! I am so very sorry for the loss of your son. There is no greater pain in life than losing a child. Your faith is a testimony to those who are hurting that there is healing and peace to be found in Christ. Blessings to you and your wife today! Lisa

Debbie Petras said...

I searched for this post to see what you'd written. How thankful I am that your son accepted Christ. You will see him in heaven one day as I will see my mom.

How thankful I am for our God who accepts us as we are ...and loves us.

Blessings,
Debbie

Solid Rock or Sinking Sand said...

Thank you Debbie for your visit and kind words. God bless, Lloyd

Anonymous said...

Lloyd,

This post was the first time I commented on your page April 9, 2010. I just read my comment and although it's not April 9 yet, I just have to repeat how much God has been reminding me not to forget praying for you and your wife these days. I thought it might just be me but then I noticed the date and I am simply blown away by His love. I am praying. He loves you so.

Remember the great reunion ahead. (Rev. 21:4)