Amy Sockaci

Every once in awhile I check out my hometown newspaper on-line and get caught up on stories and people from where I grew up. I check the front page first and next move to the obituaries. I know it sounds morbid, but it’s at the top of the list under “your news” and then I proceed to births, engagements, and marriages. But today I never made it past the obituaries.

 My breath was taken away at the sight of a beautiful 2 year old blonde girl who died. It didn’t say how she died, but when her obituary was followed by her 34 year old father, I came to know it was a horrific, car accident. The mother was also in the car, but survived with only a concussion. How tragic as tears swelled in my eyes and I wondered how the mother could deal with such grief. I prayed for her instantly even though I don’t know her.

But the obituary that made me think the most was this one of Amy Sockaci, a young woman

only 32 years old. It was her smile that drew me to read the full obituary. I urge each one of you to “click” on her name and also read it and think…really think about what is said. And then when you finish reading it you should go here, architectureamy.blogspot.com , and read her last post on July 7^th, 2011.

You never know when your last day on this earth will be. I hope it makes you think about life as much as it made me today!

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us all to realize that life is short and we need to make the most of each day living to glorify you! Help us all to give one more hug, one more kiss, and say one more "I love you"...to our family and friends. For we know not the hour which you will call us or a loved one home.

~Amen 

My Prayer Tonight

I love you Lord and I hope you know how much I love you. Some may think it silly and futile that I put so much weight and worth in one single man who I refer to as my first love and my best friend. And even though I have been a bit mad at you lately, I still remain your child…whom you love endlessly… despite my faults, sins, and imperfections. I am thankful for this love for without it, I would have never known its true meaning.  

I’ve been sad lately. My heart aches for so many different reasons …oh yeah…I forgot…you already know everything. But I don’t understand and I’m trying real hard to just trust you. I know it may not seem like it when I try to fix things or want an answer now and not wait for you to reveal your perfect plan. And the voices that tell me I’m not worth much, I’m no good, no one likes me, you’ll never be anything…Lord please take them away and remind me always that I am somebody because I am your child hand made by you.

I am lonely. ..lonely because of my own hang ups…I don’t trust others well because of all that stuff that happened when I was younger…oh yeah…I forgot…you already know. I know you gave me the mom and dad I have because you needed traits from both of them to make the person you made in me to do the work you prepared in advance for me to do. But I’m tired of trying to figure it all out. Do you think you could just help me find some rest? Please lead me back to your faithful arms and embrace me with your nail pierced hands that I might smell the sweet scent of your robe and smile once again.

I know your Word tells me that you make all things beautiful in your time…so help me be patient and wait on you. In the mean time, let me thirst for your Word and enjoy quiet moments with you as you begin to heal my hurt heart. Thank you my faithful friend and Father.

Love,

Your beloved daughter,

Shannon

Healing Rain

I was out on a walk this morning.  The sky was not the clearest as rain clouds hovered overhead and the sun refused to shine, but it was one of the most refreshing walks I have had in a great while. The air was slightly cool and half way through my paced footsteps a lazy rain began to fall. The drops were gentle upon my skin. There was no way I could avoid even one drop from the air and with each tap of the rain I was reminded of God’s awesome presence in my life.

Life can throw us unexpected curve balls. Where we thought we were going to be doesn’t seem to be where we end up. It is unsettling at best for a planner like me who thrives on order and not chaos. But God is funny; he likes to shuffle the deck of cards so we don’t get to comfortable in one spot and he throws us out there on the table seemingly all alone. But really we are never alone and just like those raindrops we cannot avoid his presence, power, and lavish love. He puts us out there sometimes because He misses us and needs to pull us away from the unimportant tasks of “doing” to just simply “being” with him. He longs to love us and to hear our voice speak to him…the voice he created.

“He must become greater; I must become less.”

~John 3:30