I would like to share how I came to be involved in Tracy's life at the time of her pregnancy with Darcy.
When the Secret Sister ministry was announced at the end of 2007, once again I planned not to participate. I was just not the kind of person who was good at giving presents, and I was convinced I was going to let someone down. But the Lord started tugging at me and His leading was clear: He wanted me to do this. When I drew Tracy’s name, I had no idea what God had in store for her that year. As the new year started, I was not able to give Tracy any gifts because her family was having trial after trial and she was often unable to make it to church. Jason was on crutches for a time, and then they had a death in the family. Although I couldn’t get gifts to her, I knew I could pray. So I did. When I learned she was expecting a baby I began joyously praying for the baby right away. As I learned about more of the difficulties she was experiencing with her pregnancy, I ached for her. It seemed like she had already been through so many trials that year. When I learned that Darcy had Trisomy 18, which was terminal, my stomach dropped. I could not imagine such a trial. But I was so grateful that I had the honor to bless her with prayers and gifts that year. I began praying for Darcy and Tracy every day, and I set up an anonymous email account where I could write Tracy notes of encouragement without revealing my name. As I began reading her blog entries, I was amazed at the grace that our Lord Jesus poured out on her life. Her attitude and perspective were gifts of the Holy Spirit. That is the only way I can explain them. It was a blessing to be able to know how to pray for her by reading her blog. And once in a while, when I felt she needed a word of encouragement, I would send her an email from her secret sister. Or sometimes, an email from Colleen from a different account! I didn’t want her to think that Colleen didn’t take any notice of her sufferings because I was always playing secret sister. It was a delicate balancing act. Sometimes Colleen would give her a hug while Secret Sis would send the words in an email. Tracy encouraged and inspired me, as she glorified God in her attitude. Darcy became the ambassador of God’s grace and power to all of us. As she continued to improve, and to defy all expectations, the body of believers at our church would praise and glorify God over and over. When Darcy was born and lived not a few minutes, but actually went home from the hospital, and when she continued to live long enough for the Ramos’ to fulfill everything on her wish list, I was continually amazed at the glory that this family was giving to God. Because they obeyed him, and chose life, they were blessed to an overflowing measure, and we all drank of the overflow. One blessing came to me on the day of Darcy’s special church service at home. Because of the circumstances, the Sunday evening service was planned at the last minute. Peggy Woody called and asked me to lead worship about 40 minutes prior to the service. Dan Woody, the music pastor, was working at a retreat, and Joey Lichnovsky, the music associate, was not available either. But God had prepared me for this. The Wednesday prior had been the monthly Women of Grace meeting. I often did the worship for these meetings, and that month we had planned to devote the time to praying for Darcy and for the Ramos family. I had prepared a special selection of songs for the occasion, and had printed out about 30 lyrics sheets to pass. Yet that night only a handful of ladies had come, and there were about 25 lyrics sheets left over. When Peggy called me and asked me to come immediately that Sunday evening, I had no time to select any songs or print any sheets. But the Lord knew I would need them, so they were already in my guitar case, left from Wednesday! I was so blessed to be able to sing for Darcy, as we sang to Jesus, and to be a part of one of the most beautiful church services I had ever known. Tracy did not yet know I was her secret sister, or how dearly I carried her and Darcy in prayer to the Lord and kept them in my heart, so the Lord made sure I had the opportunity to be a part of that special service. One night, I wrote of what a blessing her life had been to all of us. Here are the words to the song I wrote, which I was able to sing at Darcy’s funeral: A blessing, a jewel, a joy, a hope, A lovely, a pure new life. A gift from the Father, His image shown, A treasure beyond all price. Chorus Yours was a life spent completely in giving him glory. You were a witness to grace that God would give. You brought joy to all whose lives you touched. A precious grain of wheat that fell, a new life you live. Our God, he is just in all His ways, Kind in all His deeds. Though we do not understand it now, We trust in his sovereignty. His grace is here to carry us; Each day He brings us through. The very Arms that comfort us Are those that now hold you. Repeat Chorus A blessing, a jewel, a joy, a hope, A glorious eternal life! I will always be grateful to the Lord that He allowed me to witness the miracles he brought to the Ramos family through their precious daughter, Darcy Anne.
4 Comments
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |