About 2 months ago I found out that a young woman named Yasmin Rodriguez had a baby boy. The Rodriguez family is a strong part of my past but because of so many negative factors I have not been in contact with them, except for Orlando, who escaped Paterson,NJ for a cleaner and better life in New Mexico. He has been there for almost 2 years now and doing well; taking care of the dogs and horses, planting a garden in that dry desert, watering it every day and taking pride at the results.
His world came crashing down when he was notified that his nephew, Ismael, his brother's son, was shot and killed this past weekend. Just two months ago, welcoming a new baby into the family, they have lost Ismael.
The matriarch of the family-Orlando's mother, Ruth, has lost 2 children to HIV/virus back in the 1980's. Her son, Nelson and her daughter, Maritza. Her life, since she left Puerto Rico back in 1962, has been a long and hard road. I know she never lost her Faith in the Lord when she could have so easily because of all the heartache.
Her heart must be breaking from losing Ismael, but she is taking comfort in the fact that he is saved.
You need a tremendous amount of emotional strength to leave that environment and not allow it to darken you. It took Ismael at the beginning of a more spiritual life.
May our Lord wrap you in His arms and give you peace.
“Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?” (Amos 3:6). And I feel it again today and I breathe: A good God plans everything. Everything.
Isaiah 14:24, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand” (NASB). As God plans … so it stands.
11 comments:
Oh this is a heartfelt post, God bless that family and I pray for strength in the days ahead...
I'm so sorry about this loss. I'm glad to hear that he was saved and he is in a better place now.
Praying for the family and friends!
Thank you for sharing your story. It is true, the Lord has a plan for all of us and sometimes we never realise why.
I am so sorry for you and for this heartbroken family. Praying God's peace will embrace them and remind them once more of the Eternal hope. Praise God this young man knew Jesus.
((Hugs for YOU, Sue))
This is so sad Sue, thank the Lord he is saved. May God's strength be with his family. Niki xxx
Very sad but thank God we have the hope of eternal life and the belief that we will see our loved ones again.
Such a sad story. I'm glad the family can lean on God in this difficult time.
I never understand how some families seem to get more than their share of heart ache. I'll be praying for them.
Such strong verses. God is definitely speaking to and comforting you. I pray He continues to, and the family also.
*Cherished Heart Shoppe,
Fellow CAST member
Sue I am so thankful he was saved, sorry fr the sadness, but this life is temporary,He always gives us the grace, mercy and strength we need, right when we need it. Just as grape vines after they are pruned, they look dead, yet bring forth much fruit in time, so the hard times and "pruning" leaves us feeling nearly dead...but bursting forth with much fruit and newness of life in His time.
The scripture you used is just beautiful, and such an encouragement. I am not very good at comforting, and I pray for the family - I know God works this all together for good....but it still hurts terribly. May He gather up the remnants into something even more beautiful, and may He give even more than He ever takes away, I pray in Jesus' name, and I know He will.
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