On Saturday, January 28, one of my youngest son's best friends, Blake Hubbard, was killed in a tragic accident. We were privileged to know Blake for ten years and to live right next door to him for seven years.
No one tells Blake's story better than his cousin Jennifer at
Dear Lillie; if you haven't already seen it, you should read
her post.
A couple of mornings after Blake died, I came into the kitchen to find this on the table where we keep the Scrabble board:
"There are only two B's on a Scrabble board," Lee explained. So he used a blank tile to create a monument to his friend.
Months ago I showed you the
new bed Lee and I made for his room. Now his room includes a little memorial to Blake:
In the hours immediately after Blake's death, Lee said, "It seems like the whole world should stop." Jack and I had to agree with him.
The world doesn't stop, though, and Blake's family can keep going even in the face of such tragedy because of one thing: love. True love. Not the so-called love that we sometimes celebrate on Valentine's Day, but the love of God that never fails. That love prompted God to walk the very path our neighbors have had to walk this week: the death of a beloved son. But because of that love, we know that Blake is safe now, and that we will see him again.
Human love is strong and powerful. Many times it is triumphant and inspiring. We sing about it and celebrate it. But sometimes it fails. The love of God never, ever fails.
I had gathered the supplies to make this pillow 10 days ago; yesterday I finally got around to finishing it. Tomorrow I'll post a tutorial on making the pillow--it's simple and easy and inexpensive. Maybe you, too, could use a constant reminder that the love of God never fails.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Paul's 1st letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13
Love to you, my dear friends.
Amen...Jesus Never Fails...and He is True Love!
ReplyDeleteHope your son is doing ok with the loss of his friend.
Love the pillow...and everything you create!
You are a blessing to all of us!
Thanks for posting the Love Chapter!
Linda
It always breaks my heart to learn of a child's death. I'm so sorry!
ReplyDeleteI really love the passage of scripure that you chose here!! I pray that the Lord will provide you and this sweet boy's family with His enduring love and comfort!
Blessings to you all,
Leslie
That is a hard part of losing someone special to you...it's difficult to understand how the rest of the world can keep going. I hope his family is blessed by the wonderful friends they have in you all.
ReplyDeleteSO true and heart-breaking. I just wrote a post saying how I don't cry easily...you proved me wrong...
ReplyDeleteWe have walked this path with one of our sons as well. At 13, my son was a pall bearer for one of his friends who got killed. This brought back memories of that time. My son had a similar "memorial" on his wall and mirror in his room - for years. So sad.
Richella, I can't imagine what that family and your son are going through. Death is so hard to understand sometimes, and I can imagine the death of an innocent child would be almost unbearable! I saw that you posted about this a few days ago, but I couldn't make myself click over. I'm glad that you are all finding comfort in the love of God right now.
ReplyDeleteHow difficult it must be for your son to lose a friend...so sad...another difficult thing to help a child understand, but your passage is comforting!
ReplyDeleteIt's always so sad to hear of the death of a child. I hope your son is doing better and pray for his friend's family that they would remember how Jesus bore their griefs and carried their sorrows and turn to Him. Thank you for reminding us of the Love of God that will never let us go.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Vickie
And to you, my friend. Sending lots of love your way.
ReplyDeleteOh, Richella, this is heartbreaking. Thank you for your testimony though, that God's love never fails~I'm sure it's what is getting you all through this. I love your pillow xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a challenging life lesson your son has to walk through so early in life. So sorry for your loss and my heart goes out to the family. I can't imagine losing a child.
ReplyDeleteRichella
ReplyDeleteMy heart is still breaking for this family. I'm so thankful they have Jesus. He was such an adorable young man and I continue to pray for the days ahead.
Miss you!
Beautiful post, Richella. Praying for Blake's family and your son. Carla
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the loss of Blake. Sending hugs to your son. It's so hard to lose a friend when you're a child. I pray for you all to find comfort during this time. (((Hugs)))
ReplyDelete