Tonya and I went through the worse possible event a parent can go through, the loss of a child. Rebekah Jo, our youngest daughter, passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident. 

When we first received the news, we were numb. Everything stopped for a moment. We couldn’t believe it.

Then, just a few moments later, the pain of the loss settled in; it was excruciating and gut-wrenching. Tears flowed uncontrollably. Waling. Breathing became a task. I felt helpless. Eating was a fleeting thought.

The hope of future happy days seemed impossible to fathom as the weeks passed. I felt lonely even though many expressed their love and support.

A month after Rebekah’s death, we celebrated her life with family and friends. I thought,

“Surely, after her service, this pain would start to dissipate. It has to get better.”

Sadly, it didn’t. Understandably so.

I have learned that the feeling of emptiness and pain over the loss of a child never really goes away, but I will learn to live and thrive in it with the help of God and His people. Those words were discouraging but not hopeless.

It says in Micah 7:8, “Do not gloat over me, my enemies! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” (NIV)

There are two truths in this verse.

• First, I will fall and be in the dark.
• Second, I will rise and be in God’s light.

My enemies of depression, anxiety, anger, bitterness, sadness, and aloneness were winning, but not for long. They are losing now. I decided to gaze at God and His word instead of my loss. I sought good counsel, and I am receiving help.  

Though I will always feel the loss of Rebekah, I have decided to lean on Jesus and not just survive but thrive. I still cry when something reminds me of her. But here is my rise-up story; I am living, laughing, and smiling and intend to do much more in the future.

Check out the Rise Up series. It started on July 10, 2022, and ended on September 4, 2022.