Praying for the Scholes family

It's the funeral and memorial service of Daniel 'Scooby' Scholes today and of course I have been thinking of them and praying for them loads. As I have tried to read Esthers' blog as much as possible to keep up with what has been happening it has touched me so much. The great faith that this family have is an example to us all, and the way that they have clung on to every ounce of hope, and trusted so much in God through all their suffering is astounding. Of course the whole situation has brought mixed feelings to us all and I am sure there have been times of bewilderment for the Scholes family too, but they have been very strong in their faith and God is continuing to uphold them in their grief. We caught a glimpse of this 11 and a half years ago when we lost our dear daughter Lisa. Of course we never really got to know Lisa as she was stillborn, which is why I say we only caught a glimpse of what the Scholes family are going through, but from our experience you enter another realm in these circumstances. It's almost like you are in another mode of life where you are dealing with death. God brings you into a realm where yes, you are suffering terribly, and you see the fragility of life, but you also start to look at the bigger picture. There is an overwhelming sense of peace in this realm, which was so evident in our situation that the midwives felt the peace themselves and commented on it. I had a strong sense that although I could see Lisa's body that it was not Lisa, she had gone to a far better place far superior to anything we had experienced and I was thankful that Lisa had never had to suffer. I knew that one day I would see her again and would get to know her and that was something to look forward to. Scooby on the other hand did have to suffer and so his loving parents suffered much with him, and I am sure they are relieved now that they don't have to see their son suffering any more, a small consolation for their loss but still a relief. My prayer for the Scholes family today is that they will remain in that realm where there is much peace and comfort in their grief until it is time for them to come gradually out of that realm. My prayer is that people around them will be completely sensitive to them, giving them all the time they need to go on this journey of dealing with the death of their precious son, and God will send to them the right people to say the right things at the right time. So dear Scholes family may God surround you with a blanket of HIS love, peace and strength today and for the months and years to come until you have done all your grieving. Daniel will always be with you and a part of you and I pray that the experience of his life and death will strengthen you and never destroy anything that you can ever become. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx