Leah [pronounced lay-a] was one of the moms in Matthew's class @ CC. Her sons Elijah & Joshua are part of the all-boy class. Even though we saw each other and spoke every week, I didn't know Leah in the way that many others at CC did ... I spend most of my time in Hudson's class, mainly only joining Matthew's class to watch his presentations each week. So, Leah and I didn't interact a lot. My biggest interaction with her was at Earth Fare two years ago. It was my first trip to Earth Fare, I had all the kids, and it was pure mayhem! Each of the boys had a mini cart, which constantly tempted them to want to race them through the store, Eli threw up in the produce section, and I was about to lose my mind. :) Times like that always make me feel like there are judgmental eyes surrounding me. Then I saw Leah. She was new to CC at the time, so we introduced ourselves, and I vividly remember that interaction. At first I wasn't thrilled to see a familiar face with all the chaos around me, but I immediately felt at ease with Leah. She "got it," I could tell she wasn't judging me, and she was so pleasant to speak with. It was the calm I needed that crazy afternoon in Earth Fare.
Fast forward to Monday, February 9th. I was sitting in Matthew's afternoon writing class at CC, and one of my friends read a Facebook post about Leah needing prayers regarding kidney failure. She had just given birth to their third child, daughter Zivah, only 4 days prior. It was shocking. We knew it was serious, so several of us left the classroom and prayed together. By 7 o'clock that night, we had gotten word that Leah's heart had stopped, and that doctors weren't certain she would make it through the night. I know countless prayers pleading with God to save her were heard by our Creator that day and into the wee hours of the night. It was literally devastating to find out the next morning that Leah had died. Knowing how sad I was, I couldn't fathom what it was like for her family and friends ... for her husband, Dan, and those sweet boys ... and that baby who barely met her mommy.
Talk about a giant faith-tester. I had so many thoughts and emotions, all stemming from one central question: "Why didn't God save Leah?" As a mom, this is/was so hard to swallow. It's personally one of my biggest fears. However, over and over God brought to my mind two verses that brought comfort and encouragement and a bit of understanding:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." [Isaiah 55:8]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together
for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." [Romans 8:28]
My faith was tested and thankfully strengthened as a result ... More than ever, I believe and know that God's ways are eternally minded. That's all that truly matters in life. If just one person comes into relationship with Jesus because of Leah's death, I know God's purpose was just that. I also know that Leah loved God, and was fulfilling His calling on her life here on earth. Therefore, God's promise in Romans to work "good" out of this devastation will hold true. Amid the deep, deep sadness felt by those who love Leah or those of us whose heart just breaks for them, these verses offer hope.
One of the most profound things I heard said that week was this: "Let us not mourn for where she isn't, but rejoice for where she is." As difficult as that may sound, that is the reality for those who love Jesus.
In conclusion, this song was played at Leah's service. So fitting.
One of the most profound things I heard said that week was this: "Let us not mourn for where she isn't, but rejoice for where she is." As difficult as that may sound, that is the reality for those who love Jesus.
In conclusion, this song was played at Leah's service. So fitting.
