Sorrow in the Midst of Life

                                       "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth

                                       them out of all their troubles.  The Lord is nigh unto them

                                       that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a

                                       contrite spirit."

                                                                      Psalms 34:17, 18

The other day I was standing on our deck and noticed the little neighbor girl swinging on her swing set.  She is the same age that Alana would be if she were still here.  I was imagining Alana swinging on a swing, laughing with each push of her swing.  The little girl soon got off the swing and started skipping and running around her yard.  How I wish that could have been Alana.  My mind was just filling with all of these, "what could have been."  Then that all familiar feeling started welling back into my heart, "Why God, how could you take my sweet Alana.  Why couldn't you make her better."

Just as quickly as those feelings welled up in my heart and mind, they were quickly replaced by God's sweet love for me and Alana.  In my heart I knew that Alana would probably never walk or skip about like your typical three year old.  Nor would Alana have the speech of your typical three year old.  Then in God's kindness, He reminded me that our sweet girl, though not your "typical" three year old was made just right.  God had a plan for her, the "perfect" plan.  She had a job to do here on earth.  God calls some to do a job for many years, others a few years and some maybe just hours, but all just as important as the other.

I have to keep in my heart and mind that Alana was a gift to our family and many others.  I have to remember that she was the tool that God used to bring me closer to Him.  I have to remember that she touched so many lives, known and unknown.  I have to remember that she brought a joy to our lives like none other.  I have to remember that infectious smile she had that just warmed your heart.  I have to remember how she has inspired people to do something they thought they could never do, including myself.  I have to remember how Alana was an example of God's love.  God knows, God knows.

                                         ________________________________


If you haven't heard, Ashlee our oldest daughter was excepted into the music program at Southeastern University.  She did receive a music scholarship.  Praise God.  The next event coming up for her is the Detroit, MI trip.  She will be competing for nationals the first week in August.  If you go on www.youtube.com and put in Ashlee Feliciano you can see her sing the song that she will be singing for nationals.  I have to remember that Alana has helped to inspire Ashlee to use her beautiful gift for the Lord.

God is good.