October 11th was not supposed to be this way. Not for the Atwoods or you, our family and friends. It was supposed to be a celebration of life. It was the day that Chai Samuel was supposed to be born. So much of me wishes I was in charge. I want to change things. I want my son to live. I want to bring him home and experience the sleepless nights with a newborn. I want to rock him to sleep in sleep in my easy chair. I want to see Keva gently sing him to sleep. I want Micah and Isaac to take turns holding him in their laps. I'll never forget the day Chai died, Micah looked at me with tears welled up in his eyes, trying to hold it together and said, "But Dad, I won't ever get to feed him."
For each of our family, we have a long list of reasons we miss Chai and still deeply mourn his death. However, I am resolved on October 11th to remember not what could have been, but what is...and there is some glorious truth to be celebrated (though not without a deep sense of loss). As my family is together on Monday evening, our dinner conversation will be filled with our thoughts of Chai, his short life, and his deep impact on our family and many others around the world. As we look back through the pictures of his birth and funeral, we will surely miss him. We will cry, and that is a good thing. Because beneath the tears resides a very lasting sure hope that God desires Chai's life even more than I do. Chai is safe with God in Christ. And we will be with him again.
Here is how we would like you to join us in remembering Chai on his originally given due date:
1) Comment on this post (or send an email to trevkeva@gmail.com for more privacy) and let us know how Chai Samuel's short life has made a permanent impression on yours.
2) Spend the evening with your family, if you can, and let them know specifically how you understand God has blessed you with their lives. Hug your children and thank God for blessing of raising them.
3) Read and meditate on Romans 8:14-25 and 2 Cor 4:16-18. Ask God to show you if you are living in the reality of this hope and to prepare you for the suffering that is to come. Ask him to make you an instrument to display the reality of hope in Christ.
I hope that you will remember with us as we wait for the coming of Christ, the renewal of creation, and the day our future hope fades into ever-present glory. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Chai's Proud and hopeful Daddy,
Trev
6 comments:
Our family will spend the evening together loving on each other and thinking about your family. Chai is one lucky little boy to have such wonderful Christian family here on Earth and he is also being held and snuggled with our awesome GOD! Remember we will all meet him again when we are all in the wonderful peaceful arms of our LORD! Your faith and testimony has made an impact on our lives and we love all 5 of you very much.
Love,
The Alfonso Family
Me and Amy were greatly impacted by not only Chai but the way your family reacted in the face of such tragedy. It makes me remember the words of John Piper when he says that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, in the face of tragedy no blessing. Trevor the way you and your family glorified our great God amidst such tragedy is a strong testament to the Lord and His love. It really is astounding to think that little baby Chai made such an impact on his one day of life, more then many will make in their lifetime. He is sheltered in the arms of our creator God and you and your family continue to be in me and Amy's thoughts and prayers.
Trevor & Keva, how I love you, your family, and the future certainty of meeting Chai face to face! I prayed for you early this morning and will continue to throughout the day.
One of the hardest things for me to understand as a Christian is the hope of eternal glory in Christ. It is so easy for me to get caught up in my daily surroundings and the gravity that pulls me constantly toward the earth and so difficult to conceive of a Savior who has prepared a place where we will spend eternity in His presence. But Chai's life changed my perspective on that. Never has hope that cannot be denied and joy that cannot be extinguished felt more real to me. For me, Trevor and Keva truly "filled up what was lacking in Christ's afflictions" as Paul put it helping me to understand how it is possible to suffer and mourn but yet not lose hope. I will never be able to say how much my faith was strengthened by witnessing yours.
Prayed for you guys today. The more we talk the more we can see God working in your lives. It's great to have you as an example of being sensitive to God's leading even when it's in an area that is painful.
I wanted to sit down and write something yesterday, but I spent all day running, so I apologize. I did pray for you to find strength through the day and all the days to come. Your family inspired me, as you reminded us all that while Chai's death is a profound loss, his life is such a gift to be celebrated! He was such a miracle in so many ways, and I know that Jesus is so proud of the impact he made in such a short time!!! I love you all and continue to pray for you!!!
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