desert.

Yesterday one of our 
beautiful,
precious,
courageous,
dear,
 students woke up in the arms of Jesus.

So today we cling to hope.
To comfort.
To Heaven.

Because the God who knows how many grains of sand fill this broken world,
has so much more for us.

While our time on this earth is fleeting,
we have an eternity to spend in His marvelous glory.

Free from
loss,
pain,
disease,
disappointment,
disaster,
devastation.

In perfect peace.

I can't wait.

"Though He brings grief, He also shows compassion because of the greatness of His unfailing love." -Lamentations 3:32



Posted in

29 Comments

  1. SarahMarch 16, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    Praying for you, friend. We just went through a series at my church called "In the Wilderness" and introduced Desert Song to the congregation. Heavy stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MeganMarch 16, 2010 at 8:57 AM

    Sending up prayers for you and those who mourn with you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. jen christiansMarch 16, 2010 at 9:06 AM

    Oh Julie, I am so sory to hear that. But I also praise the Lord because this student knew Him.

    ReplyDelete
  4. SarahMarch 16, 2010 at 9:07 AM

    I will be praying for you, your church and the student's family during this time of grieving. And pray that everyone feels a sense of peace knowing that child is now with God, and will feel no more pain.


    What a wonderful song.
    (Kenzie enjoyed it as well, she was swaying as it played)

    ReplyDelete
  5. forever folding laundryMarch 16, 2010 at 9:17 AM

    I'm so sorry. Sending love and prayers to all of you.

    ~Keri

    ReplyDelete
  6. TheresaMarch 16, 2010 at 9:45 AM

    prayers and blessings for all of your church family. *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  7. Needled MomMarch 16, 2010 at 9:57 AM

    Prayers for all.

    ReplyDelete
  8. KellyMarch 16, 2010 at 10:02 AM

    Oh my. What a journey your group now has ahead of them. I'll be praying and would love to also have our students pray for yours. I'm so sorry for your loss but so happy to know you rest in the promises of Christ our King.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gottjoy!March 16, 2010 at 10:03 AM

    Oh, my heart hurts to read this even though I don't know this precious child. Probably because my heart is so tender and fresh from our experience. I will pray for comfort and peace for this family. And that they remember to cling to the Hope in seeing their loved one again.
    Blessings...

    ReplyDelete
  10. LoveFeast TableMarch 16, 2010 at 10:27 AM

    We are so sorry for your loss and the loss of your student's family.
    ~kristin and chris ann

    ReplyDelete
  11. {live.a.life.of.love}March 16, 2010 at 10:29 AM

    praying for all who were blessed to be a part of that's student's life & for the family. loss is such a hard thing on this side of heaven, but the hope of spending eternity together brings so much joy. praying God will provide strength through this time in the valley.

    this song is amazing & it gets me every time!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kimmie @ Hello MessMarch 16, 2010 at 11:10 AM

    Praying. Hugs to you, sweet friend.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownMarch 16, 2010 at 11:17 AM

    Saying prayers to comfort...I am so sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  14. TrishMarch 16, 2010 at 11:42 AM

    sending you hugs sweet friend

    ReplyDelete
  15. JillMarch 16, 2010 at 12:32 PM

    Sending prayers your way...and for the students family...so sorry for their loss...
    and I LOVE that song!- beautiful!
    Many Blessings!
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  16. BethMarch 16, 2010 at 12:45 PM

    it's definitely our gift and reward. god. is. good. prayers to all.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Heather @ Glitter and GlossMarch 16, 2010 at 1:07 PM

    I'm so sorry. Sending my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  18. SarahMarch 16, 2010 at 2:23 PM

    Praying for you all! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nick and AmandaMarch 16, 2010 at 2:26 PM

    what an amazing testimony through song!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Heather @ Life Made LovelyMarch 16, 2010 at 3:07 PM

    your sweet student's family and loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers today. blessings to you friend. i can't wait either.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lora MariaMarch 16, 2010 at 3:39 PM

    i'm sorry for your loss. this is SO beautifully stated.

    ReplyDelete
  22. JaneeMarch 16, 2010 at 4:32 PM

    I teach at a public high school here in my hometown (Baton Rouge). On December 9, one of our varsity cheerleaders was in a terrible accident on her way to school. She slowly improved before somewhat unexpectedly passing away from complications on February 26. My heart grieved (and is still grieving) not just for her but for the extreme loss my other students felt. It is so hard to watch them hurt and try to process. I have been clinging to the words in Steven Curtis Chapman's song Beauty Will Rise. Praying for you as you walk the road I feel all to familiar with right now.

    ReplyDelete
  23. TashaMarch 16, 2010 at 4:43 PM

    Oh, I am so sorry. Even with the hope and knowing where they have gone is so much better then where they have come from it still seems to be hard to say good bye to someone. Thinking of your and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I Love Pretty Little ThingsMarch 16, 2010 at 5:35 PM

    So Sorry...

    ReplyDelete
  25. Mique (as in Mickey)March 17, 2010 at 8:21 AM

    Julie- I didn't see this until now. I'm so sorry that I didn't even mention it last night (because I didn't know about it)- now all the trivial things I talked about seem silly.
    What a sweet, well written post. Beautiful. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  26. mel @ the larson lingoMarch 17, 2010 at 4:25 PM

    oh i am so sorry :(
    Praying for the families & friends.
    Thinking of you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Amy BellMarch 17, 2010 at 5:41 PM

    i am so sorry to hear that....so sad. praying for your grief and for the family....

    ReplyDelete
  28. Seizing My DayMarch 18, 2010 at 10:09 PM

    May you all be blessed with peace and comfort in this time... so sorry to hear about such a precious loss...

    ReplyDelete
  29. JamieMarch 23, 2010 at 7:26 PM

    praying that you and the students will find comfort in the almighty hands that hold us every day!

    ReplyDelete