He gives and takes away.

Last week was bizarre. On Wednesday, February, 23, a beautiful new life entered this world while a beautiful older life left to be with Jesus. 

Reed Joseph Hargraves made his grand entrance into this world, kicking and screaming I might add, and was welcomed by his pretty mommy, Lynsey, proud daddy, Joe, and big brother, Dylan. They are a beautiful family. They didn't have the easiest time with the whole "begin your family thing" and I watched Lynsey deal with loss and pain with such grace. God really is faithful, and she is now the proud, crazy momma of two handsome boys. I could not be happier for them. Lynsey is such a great mom...and friend. She's real and I love her for it. She doesn't pretend to be anyone she isn't. I like that too. Congrats you all on your new addition, I can't wait to watch him grow up.

On the flip side, Mrs. Jan, a lady who has gone to my church since I've attended, passed away leaving a lot of us sad that we won't get to be around her classy, loving, calm spirit anymore on this earth. I led worship for a few years and Mrs. Jan was a part of the team for a good portion of the time I was involved. She always came in with a smile and with super cute shoes, I might add. I always told her when I turn 70, I hope to be as stylish and classy as she.  She passed away in her early 70's,  I believe...seems like we should have had a few more years with her. But God knows best.

David and I had to leave her funeral early on Saturday because the boys were tired, hungry, and still not feeling completely up to par. On the way home, I told David I was frustrated because I would have liked to have stayed for the whole thing.  I felt bad that I wasn't able to give her the respect of being there for the whole ceremony. Then, a thought crossed my mind. If miss Jan could have been there, sitting in one of the two front chairs in the foyer of the church (she sat there often), and she knew I needed to get those boys home, she was have said, "Oh Hunny, it's no problem. I'll be fine, take them home." She would have smiled a big smile and waved me on home. I felt released knowing she wouldn't have been the least bit offended. I want to be that kind of person. I want to put people at ease and make them feel comfortable. Thank you Mrs. Jan for being a lovely lady who loved Jesus and people. I'm sorry that cancer made you hurt. Mr. Al and the rest of her family, you are in our prayers.

When I thought about the day and how Reed's earthly life began while Mrs. Jan's ended, the song Blessed be Your name came to my mind. The song's bridge says, "You give and take away, You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, blessed be Your name." That pretty much sums up my feelings about the day. Thank you, Jesus, for both of these lives.