Finding Strength

Finding Strength


Thoughts  & Feelings from Lindsay:

How do you do it? I can't even imagine! I'm so sorry, I'm not sure how you could go on.  These are a few things I've heard others say when they learn of Jaren's passing.

Although we miss Jaren more than anything and we love him with all our hearts, we can go on. We can be happy still, and we have found lots of joy in life since his passing.  How?  It has all been through the blessing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - and have an understanding of more than just this life.  In fact, when Steven and I were married in the Logan LDS Temple, we, and our children were sealed to us for time (now) and for eternity (forever) through the priesthood authority of God.  This gives us great hope! And these blessings are all possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Christ paid the ultimate price for us.  He wanted us to be able to live with Him and Heavenly Father again, and He wanted us to be able to be with our families forever.  He gave us the ability to have this through His Atonement. Without his sacrifice for us we could not return to be with him or our families.

Oft times you hear others talking about the Atonement when it comes to sin, and it's true, Christ paid for all that we have done wrong. But he didn't only suffer for our sins, he suffered for our pains, sorrows, and afflictions. He knows how we feel at all times.  Knowing this gives me hope, strength, and comfort. [See Alma 7:11-12]

When Jaren was sick in the hospital, Steven and I went to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.  We went to the North Visitor's Center where there is a huge statue of Christ. This statue of Christ is with his arms outstretched.  You can see the nail marks in his hands and feet. As we sat there and thought, I remember tears coming to my eyes and I thought about the fact that Christ had suffered all.  That meant he knew how I felt, how Steven felt, how Jaren felt.  He knew it all.  It felt as though I had loving arms wrapped around me, and that everything would somehow be alright.

 This is a picture of Addie (my daughter) and I about a year and a half after 
Jaren passed away in front of the Christus Statue at Temple Square

Relying on Christ and trusting in Him has been what has helped lift our burden.  We have felt His love for us, and for Jaren.  We know God had a plan for Jaren and that his life on earth was to be short.  We had time enough with Jaren to fall in love with him, learn a little about what it means to be a parent - and now Jaren gives us an added measure of strength to keep living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that we can be with him again.  Christ's Gospel is perfect and we are so blessed to know of it.  If we didn't - I'm sure I'd still be in a very deep stage of mourning.  I'm not sure I could have had more children and found joy in them.  But I have had more children, and I have so much joy to hold them and care for them. I try to treasure my children more, knowing how fragile life is.  Jesus Christ and our sweet Jaren have given us reasons to rejoice in our lives.  We are so grateful!

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