Dear Destiny,
You don’t know me, but I now know you. I too am a mother of a blonde headed 2 year old boy, who is also fast, and loves to hide. They are a special breed, those adorable and mischievous little boys, aren’t they? They steal your heart and run away so fast with it!
From the moment I heard about your story, my heart ached for you. When I saw the face of your missing boy, I saw in him my boy. While you were crying out “Why me, Lord?” I was crying out “Thank you Lord, it’s not me!” I have known from the start that the tragedy you’ve been walking could have easily been mine. I’m so unbelievably sorry you’ve had to endure this tragedy, but while you have done so with such grace, you’ve instilled in me a new appreciation for my children. I’ve always hugged and kissed my babies and appreciated the gift of them each day, but now I feel those feelings so much deeper and stronger than I did before, after hearing of the story of your sweet Noah.
I think about you dropping Noah off at your mothers house, and I can hear you warning him to “be a good boy” for her. I can envision you giving him a hug and a kiss before saying goodbye to him, never suspecting it would be your last time doing so. These thoughts make me appreciate these small moments in my motherhood journey so much more, and because of you and the sacrifice of your son, I will never ever take them for granted again.
I realize there are no words I can write to you that will take your hearts pain away. Nothing I can do can bring back your son and heal your hurt. But after watching Noah’s memorial service today, I saw a strong Momma, who is drawing some of that strength from the kind words she is receiving in letters from strangers. I had wanted to write this letter before Noah’s memorial, but thought it would get lost in the sea of letters, and be just another thing for you to read from another person you don’t know. It wasn’t until I saw just how much those letters mean to you that I felt compelled to sit down and pen this out.
My Sister in Christ, you have stood so strong in your faith! You are truly an inspiration to me and so many others! Please don’t lose sight of the positive message you and your husband spread today! There will be many dark days to come, don’t let your light burn out! I’m sure you’ve read or at least heard about some of the cruel things being said on Social Media about your family during your darkest moments…always remember that in Jesus’ darkest moments, he also was wrongfully accused, mocked, and endured insults. God knows firsthand the pain felt by losing a son…He has cried the same tears you cry today. He understands your pain like nobody else ever can. Seek Him and He WILL grant you peace during this unthinkable time.
Tonight I was driving and I heard an older song and the lyrics instantly made me think of you and your family. The thousands of volunteers coming together to search for your son for those seven cold and damp days, that sure was “Something Beautiful”! The testimony’s that you spoke of today, people praying again, people coming to Jesus, that sure is “Something Beautiful”! I have faith that in the days to come the Lord will continue to do “Something Beautiful” through your heartache and pain.
I will end this letter with the lyrics to that song, “Something Beautiful”, by Steven Curtis Chapman. I hope you are able to draw hope from these sweet words and I pray that the happy melody helps put joy back into your life. I will always think of you and your family when I hear this song, and will use hearing it as a prompting to pray for you.
With Love and Continued Prayers, Maggie
Beautiful post