Victory In Pain

It all began on Saturday, November 9, 2013 and has yet to end. “What began?” you may ask. It
was the day my brother was murdered. It was the day that time stopped and marked the end of
innocence for my family. We had never experienced murder in our family. He was pronounced
dead in Memphis, TN after a bunch of bungled efforts to get him assistance. Truth is, he was
dead when they were “attempting” to get him to a helicopter and to the ER at Helena Hospital.
He was transported to Memphis in the same helicopter that they kept passing up en route to
Helena Hospital. There are so many emotions that are evoked when I talk about his death and
the subsequent years in which the murderers walked around free. Recently, the male who was
involved in the murder passed away. The female is still alive and free.

This is supposed to be a thanks giving blog. Well, here’s the thanks for me. On Sunday,
November 10, 2013, Michael was freed from the cares of this world. I got to spend 45 years with
my brother. Those years were wrought with the ups and downs of being a big sister to a very
opinionated, stubborn little brother. The other blessing is that I get to have a wonderful
relationship with his only child, my niece, and his granddaughter, my great-niece. I get to be an
ambassador for my brother in their lives. We love each other and I am an integral part of their
lives.

The other thanks is that I have learned to represent Christ by forgiving the murderers on a daily
basis. There are days when I have to push for forgiveness more than others. This week is one
of those weeks. I usually find myself being depressed and then it dawns on me that this is the
week of his death. So, I purpose it in my heart to forgive and celebrate his life. I get to be more
intimate with God because I can’t forgive or celebrate without Him.

So as we continue in this Thanksgiving season, don’t allow pain, depression, unforgiveness and
grief to overwhelm you. You and I have victory in Jesus. He suffered, bled and died so that we
could be free. Psalm 34:18-19 says, The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those
who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers
him from them all. Thank you LORD for deliverance! #wepreach