Tyson

As many of you already know, Tyson went home to be with Jesus on Friday (November 27) after his 17 month long battle with a brain tumor.

He was diagnosed when he was only 9 months old. I remember 2 months ago, when Bailey turned 9 months old, and thinking that she was the same age as he was when they found out about the tumor. Of course, I was around when he was first diagnosed, but I just can't remember him very well at that age for some reason, and it absolutely broke my heart to think about such a little baby being handed such a hard lot in life.

So many times throughout this entire year, I have wondered "Why Tyson? Why Summer and Jeremy? Why not Bailey? Why not us?". How does God decide who these things happen to? Did He give this trial to them because He knew they could handle it so beautifully and even point others to Him in the process? Or was it just random that Summer & Jeremy were given this trial? I don't have the answer to any of these questions and I think it's probably better that way.

However, I do know that I am thankful, that today, I have a healthy, happy 11 month old. I don't know what the next months and years, or even tomorrow will hold, but I will choose to be thankful that I have today with my husband and my daughter. I will choose to love deeper, forgive easily, hug tighter, and kiss more frequently so that I will please God and honor Tyson with my life.

I also know that I am a better mother because of Tyson. In those early days of Bailey's life, when the only way she would sleep was for me to hold her, instead of getting frustrated and angry, I chose to be thankful that I had a baby to hold. Even now, when she still wakes up twice a night to nurse, I choose to be appreciative that I have a baby to comfort and nourish.

And finally, I know that God is good. Even when I cannot comprehend His ways; even when it makes no sense to me to take a child from his mother; even when so many hearts are breaking, God is still good. Good and bad are not determined to be so by my interpretation of the circumstances around me. God IS the definition of all that is good and right. Whatever HE chooses to do, THAT is the good thing, the right thing.

Tyson's celebration of life service was Saturday evening. Since then, when thinking or talking about it, several times I have started to call it a "funeral" but I just can't call it that. A funeral, to me, is a time of sadness and mourning, and Tyson's service didn't really quite fit that definition. While there was definitely sadness, it was an amazing time of worship and celebration. I really have never been to a "funeral" quite like this one before. The grace and peace of God was so amazingly evident in the family; from Tyler's (Tyson's uncle) Gospel presentation, to Jeremy's (Tyson's daddy) charge to us to honor Tyson, to Summer (Tyson's mommy) raising her hands in praise to God.

I can't understand the kind of grace that God has poured out on this family, because I have never had the need to experience it. However, I know this grace and peace straight from God do exist because of the evidence in this family's life. We sing "Amazing Grace" but I really think that most of us (including myself) don't fully understand the depths and scope of God's amazing grace, until we experience something that has the potential to be life-shattering. God, in His great love and mercy, has faithfully chosen to walk with this family through this valley and make Himself so evident to them, even in times of tribulation. I am so glad I serve this God.

Even though we do not need to pray for Tyson anymore, as he is far better than any of us now, his precious family still needs our prayers in the coming day and months. The pain of losing a child does not end when the child's life does. I'm sure Summer and Jeremy, though they are walking in God's grace, will face some dark days in the coming months. And Carson and Kaylynn, being so young, will need understanding that comes from the Lord as to why they cannot play with their little brother anymore. So I encourage you to continue to pray with me for the Woody family.

Tyson, as a 2 year old precious little boy, has made more of an impact than most people make in a lifetime.

To see all the updates and emails about Tyson, during his entire journey, click here.

And be sure to check out Thinking of Tyson, which has been set up for people to honor Tyson by sharing their stories about how he impacted their lives.