The Grace Pace

As I am praying , studying and reading this morning, I cannot help but smile as I am reminded of God’s goodness.

There have been so many tears around our home these past few days as we try to process the great loss of Mrs. Amanda, a beloved wife, mother, sister, friend and teacher, with a servant’s heart so big that leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love and generosity.

My kids have shared so many memories as they try to make sense of everything, and I have tried to keep a posture of strength and faith, “for their sake.”

But really, what is that teaching them?

My 12 year old made a statement to my 7 year old that hit me like a ton of bricks. She said, “Don’t cry. She’s in Heaven and wouldn’t want us to be sad because she is with Jesus and we will see her again!”

Oh, how many times have we heard those words after a great loss?

As I read Luke 18:16 that says, But Jesus called to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the Kingdom of God.”

I realized that this is not the time to model “composure”…it’s the time to model true faith, which doesn’t always look like holding it together. Sometimes it looks like letting the tears flow and laying our grief at His feet. Saying , “I don’t know, baby”, when a tiny quivering voice asks why she had to go…Feeling all of the emotions, knowing that He is with us.

Just as He wept for His friend Lazarus…He already knew what was next, but He still wept with those that were mourning…because He cares for us.

We can cry and mourn…and still have faith.

We can ask questions and feel the sting of grief…and still trust God.

We can admit that we are crushed in spirit…and still praise His goodness.

I know so many are grieving this loss, none more than Amanda’s precious family, and I wanted to share this encouragement with you.

He knows our sadness and He goes before us.

I’ve had this book for a while and decided to pick it up recently. He already knew our family would need the reminders in these pages. Reminders that He is good even when our circumstances are not. Reminders that He sees us and He shares in our mourning...not because hope is lost, but because we simply miss our friend here on Earth, even though we already know she’s in Heaven and death is not the end. Our hearts still ache.

Ecclesiastes 3 describes this perfectly as it says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1‭-‬8 NIV

As a parent, the pressure to model and lead can feel heavy, but our relationship with our Father shouldn’t be. We can lead them well by showing them what it looks like to fully surrender to God.

I know that everyone who reads this won’t know our Amanda, personally…but I wanted to share this on my blog because it’s meant for encouragement to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. We all have a “Mrs. Amanda” in our lives, that carries a piece of our hearts with them and has freely given pieces of hers to us that we will cherish even more now.

For me, Amanda was a dear friend and mentor. What began as a partnership of service within the children’s ministry, spilled over into wisdom on my homeschool journey… encouragement as a mother…and finally, a deeply personal display of grace as she spoke so much love into my heart after she read my testimony that I shared here last year.

Here is that post if you aren’t familiar: https://thegracepace.wordpress.com/2022/09/12/speaking-out-my-post-abortion-story/

She shared with me that reading my story changed her perspective in specific areas where she hadn’t realized she was harboring judgement. She told me that she was proud of me and that she is thankful for my honesty and vulnerability in sharing what God has done in my life. She told me that I was brave and she’s grateful for women like me as Godly examples for her own daughters, which is a huge honor that I pray I can live up to, especially now, as those sweet girls begin their walk without their mother.

What better way to celebrate her life and legacy than drawing near to Jesus as we remember her and say, “goodbye for now”.

Please pray for this family today, and in the weeks to come. Pray for our church as we circle around this family and share in their grief. Pray for the hearts of all the children who love her.

If you feel led to give support for the Warren family, I know that they would appreciate it very much, although they would never ask. This loss was unexpected and the expenses are great. You may give securely here: https://lifechurchlr.subspla.sh/28006ef (Please notate Warren Family)

(Or see the information at the bottom of the Obituary posted below.)

Thank you for reading and for sharing in this precious time of remembrance for Mrs. Amanda Warren. I pray that you are encouraged today and that you have joy in your hearts as you think of your own “Amanda”. If she’s still with you, give her a big hug today and make sure she knows how loved and cherished she is. Don’t wait.

Mrs. Amanda is missed dearly already.

She led them well. 💕