His Understanding is Unsearchable
Unfortunately, I have learned of the passing of two young men who were sons of Facebook friends of mine. How I grieve for those families!
It brought me back to some heartfelt words my beautiful daughter had found online and shared with me.
The world of parents who have outlived their children is a heartbreaking and extraordinary world.
We are warriors who have been given one of the most sacred tasks and mission. We are men and women who were chosen, not for pain, but chosen as the only people in the world to parent their precious child. Parenthood, in and of itself is a sacred task. It’s true. But parenting a child, when you can no longer reach out and touch their faces, hold them in your arms, watch their life unfold, that is one of the greatest, most sacred tasks you can be given.
Out of every person in this world, you were chosen to be their parent. Out of every person in the world, you are the ones who were chosen to know them, better than anyone, to be theirs, to have your souls tied together for eternity. Out of every person in the world, it was you, it is you, and it always will be you.
As Isaiah tells us in Chapter 40, “…his understanding is unsearchable.”
There is no searching of his understanding – The God who made all things must be infinitely wise. There is proof of boundless skill in the works of his hands, and it is impossible for finite mind fully and adequately to search out all the proofs of his wisdom and skill. Man can see only a part – a small part, while the vast ocean, the boundless deep of his wisdom, lies still unexplored.
Randy Strickland 1/29/17
Such a beautiful entry. I, as a parent of three precious girls, can’t imagine the pain of losing a child. To see the uplifting messages from all of Craig’s family is inspiring and definitely spreading his work to help others become closer to God and restore faith.
I cannot even begin to imagine the pain of raising a child & then losing them so young. I do however know the pain of miscarriage and never being able to have children. I have been so inspired by Craig’s family & their strength they have had thru this horrible ordeal. It has given me new faith in God and not questioning why so much. My prayers are with the Strickland family for continued strength.
This is EVERYTHING! I sadly lost my mother when she was 37 years old at the young age of 9, my brothers were 12, twins 1, and sister 6. My mother’s sister died 14 years later. Moreover, my grandparents watched their daughters die before them. I am so blessed to have had such strong Christian grandparents for as long as I did. They lived to be 93 and 95 years old. Their faith to God was undeniable and their strength from God was unbreakable. I watched their pain and loss till their deaths. In addition, I saw two heavenly angels get their wings and reunite with their daughters.
I have a Plexus leader who recently lost her 16 year old daughter in a terrible tragic ATV accident where they were hit. Her younger daughter and a girlfriend suffered broken bones. Just as you have done with Craig’s legacy in Glorfying God and trusting God through your pain this family the Hootens are doing this for their daughter Ally. This is truly leading souls to God ❤️
My husband and I are unfortunately members of the unique group of parents who have children, a daughter and a son, go before us. It is true that we survived and continue to survive through the grace of God.
I am not sure where these words originated but they are so meaningful to so many of us.
“The world of parents who have outlived their children is a heartbreaking and extraordinary world.We are warriors who have been given one of the most sacred tasks and mission. We are men and women who were chosen, not for pain, but chosen as the only people in the world to parent their precious child. Parenthood, in and of itself is a sacred task. It’s true. But parenting a child, when you can no longer reach out and touch their faces, hold them in your arms, watch their life unfold, that is one of the greatest, most sacred tasks you can be given.
Out of every person in this world, you were chosen to be their parent. Out of every person in the world, you are the ones who were chosen to know them, better than anyone, to be theirs, to have your souls tied together for eternity. Out of every person in the world, it was you, it is you, and it always will be you.”
Chase was my cousin’s son and Craig was his friend. May they both rest in the peace of our Lord.
I know your pain……loosing both of my children at the same time…..you never get over the loss. I long for the day of homecoming when we will all be with the Lord God, and all our bodies will be whole! Your heart will heal over time….it takes time…..it takes years….but you will always have a void that cannot be filled. You learn to live again…..but it is never the same…..it is a different life, one that sometimes can never be satisfied. Children are God’s gifts……there are some that have never realized that…..life is short….life can’t be taken for granted….love life while you can…..then cherish all the memories you have! May God continue to hold on to you while you walk down this road of loss…..don’t let go because he is the one that you need to live thru your loss.