It is with hearts weighed down by grief and sadness, that we tell you of the passing of our baby from life to death to everlasting life. This baby now joins seven brothers and sisters in the church triumphant, where our treasure is, now all the more, laid up. We know that God is sovereign over all, and that none can fall except he wills it. Our God is a true and faithful God. We eagerly await the resurrection – the putting right of all things – the defeat of death, and the beginning of life eternal.
We have named our baby Heritage Peniel, which means “Inheritance Facing God.” As a child of the covenant, our baby has the right of an heir of God to receive the heritage of seeing God face to face, even as our forefather Jacob. This little one now enjoys in fullness that which we only long for in the shadows, to see God face to face, and to reap the bounteous pleasures of one who has conquered – life forever more.
“So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.'” (Genesis 32:30)
Please pray for us as we mourn the loss of this little saint. Pray that we would love on our three living children even through pain and sorrow. Pray that we would mourn as those who have hope in the grace and faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that we would flee from the temptations to doubt or to let bitterness or anger invade our hearts. Pray that God would grant beauty from ashes, and would take joy in raising our hearts from depths of sadness and would plant our feet firmly on the high places, according to His loving kindness.
“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.”
(Habakkuk 3:17-19)
May God grant His peace and love in abundance. May He be glorified, even through pain, sorrow, and death.
Steven, Melissa, Gabriel, Asher, Evangeline
Covenant, Glory, Promise, Peace, Mercy, Victory, Hosanna, and Heritage
I’m so sorry to hear this news, Melissa. We will be keeping you and your family and sweet Heritage in our prayers as you’ve kept us in yours through these hard ups and downs. Praying for relief for you as you walk through this valley.
Oh Melissa. I’m so sorry. We mourn with you. I’ll be praying for you all.
Melissa,
You are on my heart and mind today as I pray for comfort, and strength for the coming days. You have chosen a beautiful name for your precious baby!
I’m so sorry that you are once again “here” in this place; a place I had hoped and prayed you would never be again. But may God be glorified through all the suffering!
Oh Melissa. God’s ABUNDANT grace and peace be with you. Lots of love and blessings from us; we’re praying for you.
Dear Steven and Melissa,
Words cannot express our sorrow for you all. I read this in Paul Tripp’s book this last fall and share it with you in the hope that is may provide some comfort. It is from a book called Shelter in a Time of Storm. One essay he wrote in this is called Safe. This is a short part of it:
I am safe,
not because I have no trouble,
or because I never experience danger,
I am safe because of the presence of boundless love.
I am safe because of divine mercy, divine wisdom,
divine power and divine grace.
I will live with faith, courage, perseverance, and hope.
And when trials come and they will,
I will whisper to my weakening heart,
“Emmanuel is your shelter;
you are safe.”
May the God of all comfort give you peace during this time.
We love you all,
Sue for all
Steven and Melissa,
I am praying for peace and rest for you all, that you will all turn to Christ and to one another and huddle close for comfort.
Remember that you are in the hands of a strong God, that this baby is safe with Him and that He will carry you through, moment by moment. I feel like this is the kind of moment for which God commended Sarah for not giving way to fear. Because He understands that it feels frightening. Trust Him to carry you, and then really let Him carry you. And keep your thoughts, your eyes, your ears, and your desires anchored in scripture and Godly counsel.
Love each other well and know that you are loved by us.
Missy, for all of us