When Covid Crashes Through Your Front Door
What do we name this dark valley we travel. Where sunlight mocks the darkness in the space we try to breathe. What cruel trick transpired that two weeks took us from sweet fellowship with you around our table, to crushing sorrow you are not here with us, laughing and talking and loving and sharing life.
How do we bring together the depths of our faith and the depths of our sorrow? How do we experience the peace that passes understanding in the war of our souls to understand a now ever-present void in our lives?
We do not want to do life without you.
With tear stained faces and hearts rent in two, we strain swollen eyes and look to our Father for the answer.
With compassion and understanding, He points to the cross. To His Son. The Christ.
Good Friday. The ninth hour. The Son of God struggled to breathe.
A battle raged in His lungs like a consuming fire, to take another breath. Our Savior understood our loved one’s hour after hour battle for life giving oxygen. And we share the horror of Jesus’ earthly family, as they watched Him struggle until the last breath escaped His body, and His broken heart ceased to labor.
And now, we walk through their dark Saturday. Hopes smashed. Minds bewildered. Unanswered questions bounce off failing hearts. Uncertainty drapes over rounded shoulders like a heavy blanket. Keening cries resound in deepest mourning. We feel shaken. Our hearts shredded. Uncertainty looms taunting us with fear building jabs. In numb disbelief, we try to make sense of what’s happened and how we will endure another sunrise. Another awaking with a moment of normal, then the crashing reality of another day in life without Ty. A numbing truth throwing us to an unfamiliar shore where tsunami waves of sorrow crash our hearts against the abrasive rocks.
But. Their story, like ours, did not stay in the Saturday experience. As disciples of Jesus, we also know Sunday. Christ’s tomb stood empty, pointing to a day when Tyler’s also stands empty. Three days after the cross, Jesus offered to Tyler, and to each of us, a life where death lies defeated by incredible mercy, grace and salvation. Because Tyler humbly bowed his knee before God, and believed in the Son, he was washed in the blood of Jesus and given a robe of righteousness. Tyler’s soul did not perish, but knows everlasting life and now walks with the redeemed, in the presence of His Savior.
Therefore, though our arms are empty and ache to hold him again, His Abba Father envelops Tyler in His everlasting arms.
While we weep endless tears, heavenly beings laugh with delight as Ty revels in true freedom and pure joy, fully experiencing, both this day and forever, seeing his God face to face, knowing full worship in God’s holy presence.
The enemy’s plan to use a virus to destroy our Ty’s physical body, was trumped by God’s divine plan. In the physical realm, as man worked with desperation to preserve life, in the spiritual realm, in complete alignment with His sovereign will, God chose to call Tyler into His holy presence in that glorious moment. In the heavenly realm, shouts of joy rang out and dancing erupted as the Father, with smiling eyes and lavish love, welcomed His son Tyler … home.
Dear friends, I do not know how the Lord will lead over the next months. Will words pour out like a fountain or dry and wither like leaves in the fall? What I do know is God walks this journey with us. We need time to heal. And our focus will be Ty’s wife Karen and his little boys, Zeke and Xavier. Thank you for your prayers for our family as we learn to live life without our beloved son, husband, father, and brother, T-Bear.
Diana
April 24, 2021Reva, we are praying for you and your family. I know Tyler is at peace. God bless you all. Love, Diana and Ray
Janice Dimond
April 23, 2021Oh, my dear friend. You have voiced the tenuous balance between trusting God and having your heart broken into pieces perfectly. This is not a journey any of us wish to walk, and yet, there is a richness, an intimacy with God, that can only be experienced when you are holding on by a thread. I’m praying that you will feel HIS nearness in every moment, as God holds you close and helps you make each step.
Michael Henry
April 23, 2021I am truly sorry for your loss did not know the young man but as a parent the loss of a child has to be the hardest pain possible!your commitment to the lord will bring peace!My sincere condolences to you and your family!❤️!
Mary Vest
April 23, 2021Peace and comfort for you and your family. God bless all.
Judy Kaufman
April 22, 2021Dearest Reva, Many years & miles haven’t dimmed the sweetness that floods my heart when I think of you!
I weep as I read of this heart rending loss. May the Father of mercies pour out his healing balm on your broken hearts in the days & weeks ahead. I will be praying with love . Warmly,Judy
Jewel Showalter
April 22, 2021Oh Reva, I didn’t have the privilege of know Ty and his family, and feel I’m just learning to know you a bit, but I want you to know my heart is breaking with yours. Praying for God to give us the eyes to see what He is up to in the midst of this tragedy. Hugs.
Pam Morrison
April 22, 2021God bless you and yours Reva. Love you always, Pam
Pam Bowman-Amlin
April 22, 2021With tears and an aching heart – Thank you for being vulnerable, my dear friend.
Linda Wilson
April 22, 2021Reva,
Your words, your grace in such a time as this are exactly what we are called to have by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. No words are more true. He knows what you are going through, the pain of losing a son. Our faithful Father used what the enemy meant for evil and turned it around to joy for Tyler; he is now in His presence. And you proclaiming your faith know that you will join him at your designated time. Your words written here give inspiration to all of us. I did not have the honor of meeting your Tyler but he is my brother in Christ just the same. I think if our family often and miss the times we spent together years ago. Tyler has many loved ones that greeted him on the other side. I’m keeping you, Greg and Tyler’s wife and kids in prayer. I have felt her pain before and she will need you and Greg and the Lord more than you know. Lean and draw upon Him. He will uphold you.
Love, Linda Kay