I stand in awe of Who God is and what He does! There is no one greater or higher! He has created it all and oversees it all! Choose you this day whom you will serve, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord! There’s no one higher or more deserving!

Driving home from my brother-in-law’s funeral where his life was truly celebrated, I can say, I stand in awe of our heavenly Father. My brother-in-law sang at his own funeral, via recordings, of course. My husband shared the excitement of heaven and how Allen fits in so perfectly! And family and friends supported and encouraged my sister and her grandchildren she has been entrusted to raise!

Sitting comfortably in the passenger seat while my husband kindly drove us home, I was guided to Psalm 34:1-18. It drove this post I write now, recognizing it was no coincidence! Take a minute and read those great spiritual truths. You will gain much insight and a spiritual impact that will carry you further than just from reading my blog. I have personally witnessed my sister walking out her faith for all to see, modeling this beautiful Psalm:

I WILL bless the Lord at all times! That isn’t a maybe but a definite “will.” And not just when things are going right but at ALL times; The good and the bad!

I have nothing in myself to boast about, my soul boasts only in the Lord!

You see, I seek Him out daily and His very presence surrounds me bringing the deliverance and rescue that I need in that very moment! His eyes never turn away from me and His ears are listening for my cry. I have personally experienced the nearness of my heavenly Father mending my broken heart and restoring my crushed spirit.

My testimony to you is this – Do not wait for life to be free of troubles, instead, at this very moment, Taste and See the Goodness of God; take refuge in Him and you will be blessed!

The day after burying my brother-in-law, my sister, Roxanne Doyle and her son, Luke Doyle wrote the following message and shared it to Facebook:

The Power of Hope in Jesus: There’s been so many wonderful posts about Allen that there is no need for me to repeat the same message, I think if anyone has been engaged in this loss with us they are fully aware of the vessel used for good that my husband was in service to our Lord as well as to me as his wife, my children as their father, to our grandchildren as their paw-paw and to his friends as well and the list of affections goes on and on. This post is a testament to the goodness of God through our hope in Jesus and although short, it is full of meaning to anyone who may have the understanding and can be encouraged of this hope that comes in times of loss. The facts that we know here on earth are, that we will never be the same, we will never stop missing him, that void will never be completely satisfied by another person and these truths will bring us to mourning Allen’s death because that’s what loss is, we miss out on what we once were able to enjoy. However, our cup runneth over throughout this process of peace, comfort, purpose, satisfaction, love, joy, & thankfulness that cannot be explained. It’s impossible to understand losing someone so amazing and dear to us, so early, yet to be so full of these wonderful things that come from God that have removed the sting of death in such a way that we can’t even force ourselves in it even if we wanted to. This isn’t shock, yes we’re shocked that yesterday Allen was with us and today he isn’t, but this is supernatural, only something that comes from God and I don’t want to miss out on encouraging others through this post that as you grow in your faith in God and he establishes you in your walk and relationship, truly, truly, death has lost its sting. God has shown up and showed off through the prayer and support of everyone who loved us or loved Allen and we just want to say, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. Difficulties will arise, loss will be recognized, however our Creator and Comforter sits on the throne and HE does just as He promises in His word and indeed draws near to the broken hearted. God is SO Good!! So thank you everyone, please continue praying, and most importantly, draw near to your Father in heaven through a daily walk with Him, let Him satisfy your soul, let Him become your hope, and when loss comes no matter how difficult it may be, we can cling to our hope in Jesus that this is not our home, and that death for a believer isn’t death, it’s complete salvation that while on earth we should long for, to be made whole and to be just like our Father in heaven. Allen today is just like his Father in heaven, and we couldn’t be more thankful that his fight is over, his race has been run, he did well, he kept his faith, and ultimately, he glorifies his Father. Well done, Allen, we have zero doubt that He’s shown you the faces that you impacted, and we live in the hope to see you again soon. To God be the Glory forever and ever and ever!!

To view my brother-in-law’s funeral service, follow the link belowhttps://www.facebook.com/opendoorswla/videos/1900224310402385

~My brother-in-law, June 26, 1981 – a groomsman in my wedding~