For in death as in life, Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul

Tonight I snuggled up next to Rylee during bedtime and laid in bed with her. We giggled as she talked about the Fish night light she has and I rubbed her face as she peacefully drifted off to sleep. Tears rolled down my face as I thanked the Lord for her. I don't do this often -- lay in bed with her until she falls asleep, but there are times when my soul longs to just have my precious child in my arms. Tonight was one of those nights.

The Murray family attends our church. Last year (I believe) we were asked as a congregation to engage in a prayer vigil for their oldest daughter, Brielle, who has severe brain tumors and was undergoing very dangerous surgery. Several months ago, we had another vigil for her. And several weeks ago, we continued in our fervent praying as the doctors told their family that not only had the tumors come back, but there was nothing more they could do. During the past several weeks, while many other families might have felt defeated in this news - the Murrays decided to take these last weeks of their precious daughters life and really live it. They whisked Brielle and her school friends away for a fun weekend at their cabin. They took a fabulous Hawaiian vacation. They spent countless hours praising God for each additional day they had been given with Brielle . The prayed tirelessly that if it was the Lord's will, that He miraculously heal her this side of Heaven. Of course, they cried countless tears as well. They also blogged all about it. See, I don't even know this family personally..... but I've followed their journey through their writing. I've rejoiced with them with good test results and "Good days", and I've cried out to the Lord on their behalf when they felt all hope was lost. Brielle is an amazing young girl who, through her faith and joy in Jesus, has touched so many lives. Lives that she didn't even know. My life. Never have I seen a family, or a person, keep such faith amidst such difficult circumstances.

This morning, at 9:45am, Brielle Ruth Murray was taken home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was 13 years old. And even in their daughter's death, the Murray's still praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy.

Brielle's mom, Lisa, shared a story on their blog about a moment in Hawaii when her and Brielle were watching the sun rise. She recalls the Lord flooding her mind, heart and soul with the hymn "It is well with my soul".

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

~Horatio Spafford 1873

As I sang this song in Rylee's bed I praised God for giving us this day together. I don't know what the future holds and I don't know what God's will is for her life or mine, but I know that I am thankful and blessed for each day God gives me with my children.


My heart breaks for the Murrays but I am thankful for all that Brielle and their family has taught me through their difficult journey. I praise the Lord that Brielle is now out of pain and able to rejoice in Heaven. Lord, give this family the strength and courage needed to get through these next several weeks, months...and years. Give them a peace that surpasses all understanding. And may we always be reminded of the great legacy Brielle has left.

I feel like I can't close this blog without saying that if you are reading this and don't know the Lord as your personal Savior, that you too, like Brielle, can have the assurance of spending eternity with Him. In John 3:16, it says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life" God loved us so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to be sacrificed on our behalf. Because of Jesus' blood on the cross and His resurrection, we can spend eternity in Heaven with Him. All you must do is simply pray and accept Christ's offer of salvation. We must first admit that we are sinners and this sin is what separates us from God. But because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, our sin is washed away and we become white as snow. Then, believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ - His death on the cross and the miraculous resurrection. Ask God to come into your life and change you from the inside, out. When we invite Jesus into our lives, He makes us a new creation. The old is wiped away and a new being is formed. Praise be to God for His love, mercy and faithfulness! Praise to be God for His amazing gift of salvation!

To read about Brielle and the Murray's journey, click HERE to go to their website.