In the Midst of Grief-Living Wonderstruck

I know I've said this several times, but God never promised me this WonderStruck Journey would always be a bed of roses.  Just last week, I got the message that my oldest brother Joey died in his sleep at the age of 48 of a massive heart attack.  I not only got that news, but along with it was the stark reality that there was no burial insurance.

I began to ask God some tough questions like:  "What am I going to do?"  "Where is the money going to come from?"  Then I began to pray and ask God to show up in a way that would leave me with no other explanation that it was Him so that HE could get the glory out of a very sad situation.

For all intents and purposes, God showed up!  It left me WONDERSTRUCK.  As I sit here typing this Joey's final arrangements are pretty much paid for in full.  People who had no idea who my brother was gave out of the overflow of their hearts.  They went out of their way to help when I was at my lowest.

My cousins let me stay with them for an entire week and wouldn't let me pay for anything.  They let me cry, talk, grieve, and sit in silence.  I'm incredibly thankful for my cousins Vernon and Lee Lantia, they are amazing people and I love them dearly.

Another Wonderstruck Moment came when we had a reception at my Aunt Velma's house where I gave a Eulogy and read a poem I wrote.  I had a house full of cousins show up!  There was reconciliation after years of hurt, pain, and disappointment.  We have agreed to keep in touch through email, letters, cards, and even care packages!  You want to talk about WONDERSTRUCK?!!! That too was it.

Last but not least, I would like to tell you about a young man God put in my path when I needed it most.  His name is Kyle Ardoin.  He's the funeral director at Lakeside Funeral Home in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  That young man did some extraordinary things to make sure my brother had a respectable farewell.  He told me he wasn't in business to take families to the bank but to be a small beacon of light for families in grief.  Well, this is very unusual for a Funeral Director to do anything like that.  However, Kyle did more than enough for my family and I will be forever grateful to that young man! Thank you God for putting Kyle Ardoin in my path when I didn't know what to do!

The only thing left to do is to take time to grieve, seek the face of God, and walk hand in hand with Jesus.  I can't do this without Him.  It's impossible, let me tell ya.

There is one verse that God gave me through this experience:

"I would have dispaired, unless I had believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the living.  Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27:13-14 NASB

One day from these ashes there will come beauty.  Until then I'll seek His face, trust His heart, and lean on Him with all of my being to get me through.  I will not question His ways for they are much higher than mine.

I journey on through this Wonderstruck life hand in hand with Jesus.

Living Wonderstruck Still,
Alicia