Mission Accomplished

I have thought about writing a blog for a few years but each time I have stopped short because I thought, "Who really cares what I have to say?" Nevertheless, I have decided to ignore my doubts and fears and give it a go...

May 15th, 2014

The past month has been a roller coaster - and not the fun kind. What started out as a simple outpatient procedure for my dad, turned into a serious infection that ultimately took his life. The week he spent in the ICU and the weeks since his death have been the hardest thing I have ever had to endure in my short 24 years of life. While I cannot even begin to understand why all of this happened, I know that God is Sovereign and he was not surprised by any of this. This next year will undoubtedly be difficult and hard but if there is one thing I have learned through all of this, is that the Lord uses tough circumstances to refine us and make us more like Jesus. I am confident that he will use my dad's death to refine all of the Rush family - immediate and extended. I hope to use this blog to encourage others as well as help myself process the grief of losing my precious daddy. I apologize if my thoughts seem jumbled-each day brings a flood of new emotions and there is so much I feel is in my heart. 

The afternoon after my dad met Jesus, my Aunt Sharon and I were sitting in my parent's living room talking about the "why" of it all. In the midst of tears, we were both comforted by the fact that dad has received his reward for a life well lived. My dad was a faithful man who pursued the Lord with all of his heart and on May 15th, 2014 he was called home to be with his Lord. While it doesn't diminish the hole in my soul from losing him, knowing that Dad is in the presence of our Mighty and Awesome Lord and Savior, Creator of the Universe is such an encouraging thought. At the celebration of life service we had to honor Dad's life, my Uncle Rick put it best: Dad's mission was accomplished. He had accomplished everything the Lord set out for him and it was time for him to get to enjoy the eternity in Heaven he so longed for. 

One quick story before I go: At my mom's elementary school, the students held a special time of prayer just for dad while he was in the hospital. After it was over, a 4th grade student approached his teacher and wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. I LOVED hearing this story because I know that Dad would not have hesitated to die if he knew his sickness and death would help save one soul for eternity.   

For His Glory,
Jessica

"Yet he did not wavier through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised." Romans 4:20-21