Thursday, February 14, 2008

...with aching hearts and empty arms...

"A memorial service will be held to celebrate the life of Sullivan Gage Anderson at 1:00p.m. on Thursday, February 14, 2008. In helping us to celebrate our little Valentine, we kindly ask you to come dressed in colors of joy and hope."

And so we gathered to celebrate the life of baby Sully. The service was the most bittersweet thing I've experienced in a long time. It is good to see God glorified in the midst of deep, profound pain that threatens to destroy you. "But what doesn't destroy you makes you stronger," somebody somewhere once said. Well, at least if it drives you to the only possible source of comfort in the middle of it all...

And so, today, we sang, through our tears:
Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
’Til life’s storm is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
Receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
I helpless, hang on Thee;
Leave, oh leave me not alone,
Support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
In the shadow of Thy wing.
Thou, O Christ, are all I want,
Here more than all I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name,
I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am;
Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
Let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart;
For all eternity.
Demo MP3
© 2000 Greg Thompson Music.

Goodbye, little Sullivan Gage Anderson. "With empty hearts and aching arms, we send you with a name. It hurts so much to let you go, but we're so glad you came. We're so glad you came." - from Twila Paris, A Visitor from Heaven, 1993.
A visitor from Heaven
If only for a while
A gift of love to be returned
We think of you and smile

A visitor from Heaven
Accompanied by grace
Reminding of a better love
And of a better place

With aching hearts and empty arms
We send you with a name
It hurts so much to let you go
But we're so glad you came
We're so glad you came

A visitor from Heaven
If only for a day
We thank Him for the time He gave
And now it's time to say
We trust you to the Father's love
And to His tender care
Held in the everlasting arms
And we're so glad you're there
We're so glad you're there

With breaking hearts and open hands
We send you with a name
It hurts so much to let you go
But we're so glad you came
We're so glad you came

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