It was during a summer class in 2002 that God completely transformed my perception of the trials that enter our lives. The class was entitled Counseling James, and as it brought the beloved book into action, it shook me to my core, and I just soaked it in. Honestly, up until that point, I really had never taken much notice of the purpose of the trials that the believer faced. But as I sat there and looked verse by verse at James, I realized that God used these events in the life of a Christian to mature him and develop him to be more Christlike. I knew that I would never be the same, and time after time since then, God has taught Amanda and me these cherished truths. He is faithful, His grace is amazing, and His plan is always best.
Little did I know that six years later Amanda and I would find out just how much we believed these truths. On January 25, 2008, our beautiful daughter Ava Patricia came into this world and immediately went to enjoy the splendor and wonder of Heaven. As our hearts were broken, we struggled with coming to grasp with the purpose that God was bringing through this. Countless times since then God has brought the book of James and many other passages into light to comfort us and teach us of His abundant grace and mercy.
One passage that has brought much comfort is Jeremiah 33:3, which has always been Amanda’s favorite verse. It says “Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.” A few days after the funeral, I told Amanda that I truly believed that this verse, which she has always held close to her heart, was meant for this moment. At those times when we lack understanding and our hearts hurt, we can call out to God. He does hear us, and He will show us great things that we can’t even begin to comprehend. Honestly, I do not know why this happened; God’s plans are not always easy to understand. I am, however, confident that He is in control, and through this He is going to do something great. We may never understand on earth, but one day perhaps we will. With that thought, I am reminded of something that was said during the service in reference to Ava: “You really never lose something if you know where it is at.” Holding on to those comforting words, heaven gets sweeter day by day as we look forward to seeing our precious daughter once again.
Craig Dyson, Ethiopia