I write this with a heavy heart for those who are in pain and grieving. My home church family has lost someone who impacted our hearts. I feel for the family and for the friends of Isaiah. I feel that the only thing I can do and that he would want is to reach out to those with comfort.  So I will begin with this scripture from Jeremiah 17:7-8

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Isaiah was very young and yet he did something that many question in their lives. He did something that many do not do in their lives. He lived to the best of his ability and not only kept it to himself but he shared his life with others. He wouldn't want people remembering him and being sad. Rather he would want people to remember him and be happy for the time that was allowed. 

I struggled when I heard the news and I'm sure I'm not the only one that struggled with doubt. I was uncertain and I had questions I placed to God. But everything just whirled around in my head and it made me tired trying to come up with answers. There is scripture that Paul discusses and he pretty much says that we shouldn't try to explain or understand all of the things that God does. God chooses what He allows for a reason. And Jesus did not place that burden on us, to understand the impossible. Matthew 11:30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  

When I finally let go of my uncertainty I gained relief. Relief that Isaiah is in the best hands possible. Peace that he got to meet God and how wonderful it must be to be in that kind of presence. Peace that those who are hurting right now are not alone. 

Isaiah's passing is not in vain. Not only was he truly loved by so many but he loved many.  Song of Solomon 8:07 "Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away." He shared his life with others and reached out to them, whether through a hello, being present at an event, or simply living the moment with others. Isaiah left us with one last gift as a wake up call. His care and impact on others should awaken us to life. 

To not just stay in the darkness and be weighted down by pain but to go in the sunshine and share that light with others. Isaiah did much in his life, whether he knew it or not. He was young and he had his own questions and uncertainties but he never let that stop him. He was uplifting because he uplifted others. 

He had Someone he believed in. Psalms 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give away and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its water roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

No matter what happens in life, I believe Isaiah would agree with this scripture, Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

 Instead of a final goodbye, this is only the beginning. May we reach out to each other when we struggle and when we see others struggling. He was a great kid and he did the best he could in reaching others. He wouldn't want anyone to be feeling bitterness or sad. That just isn't the kind of person Isaiah was. He showed compassion and forgiveness, lessons that we should take with us and not leave behind.

I once told him, in a long conversation I had explaining something, that it doesn't matter what age you are when it comes to God. God can do great things no matter how young you are. He told me thank you.

Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

​This is only the beginning. He passed the baton to us in this race. May we continue to hold our heads up just like he did and is.