Willow Marie Droogsma - 12.4.18

Introduction before this

It is never easy to lose someone. It always hurts, it always leaves marks.

I have wrestled a lot with what I am going to say today.

On the walking with willow t-shirts that you made for so many of us you choose one short familiar bible verse and it has been ringing in my ears for months.

“For we walk by faith and not by sight.”

I am sure it means a lot more to you now than it did the first time you heard it or said it.

Today as we celebrate Willow and mourn her loss I cant get it out of my head.

About five months ago we got two pieces of news. First that Erin’s brother Will and his wife Adrienne were having a girl, hardly any more time went by before we heard the second piece. That their baby girl was diagnosed with a condition called anencefalie. A condition that would lead to her death.

It was crushing. I don’t know how else to describe it. No one knew what to do, how to help, or even what to think.

Our family and our church and so many others began praying, what else do you do?

It is hard to imagine anything more tragic than parents having to bury a child.

Part of my Job as a pastor is to help people see God at work in their lives and the lives of others and in that moment, I just couldn't do it, I couldn’t see it. Instead I just struggled with the questions, questions we wrestle with at time like this. Why, did this have to happen? Wondering if there really was any possible way God could work in a situation like this. Wondering what to say, what to do, what to think. To be honest I wanted to quit.

But I had no idea how God would work in through the life of Willow in her short time on earth.

A couple of days later, after confirming the diagnosis our family got another message from Will and Adrienne one that God used to bring so much comfort to us as family members and one that would bring comfort to many others near and far.

“We are obviously heartbroken, but we’re going to do our best to celebrate the life and time we have with our girl. We’ve decided to name her Willow Marie Droogsma…a little of Mom and a little of Dad. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts…we feel them and appreciate them all. We love you.”

And you did celebrate her life. That step of faith began a beautiful journey of celebrating the Gift of Willow’s life. Allowing God to work in and through her to bring encouragement, hope, and joy to others.

It was an example so clear of Faith being worked out in love. An example of God at work through broken hearted people. The tiniest light in the darkest of moments. “Walking by faith, not by sight.”

And it set the tone for the next months.

As a pastor I

That was one of the first steps of faithfulness you took in a long road that you will walk until you see Willow again.

But it set the tone for the next months.

Like most steps of faith it didn't solve the problem but it did set in motion something God would use and continues to use in ways no one could have expected.

Not long after Will and Adrienne started the Walking With Willow Group on Facebook. A place where people could walk with you.

As many of you know God used that page, Will and Adrienne’s faith, and Willow's story to touch the lives of thousands. It became as a vivid reminder of the immeasurable value of life and the way God can work in the most broken of situations to being healing and new life.

Thank you for bringing us along on the road. We all watched as Willow went to her first NHL game, Shot a couple deer with her mom and grandpa, and put up a Christmas tree.

And you allowed us to bring her walking on the road all over the world.

And through that she had had the opportunity to bless many.

I truly believe it was a miracle.

Because

Touched by Willow’s story people came together to find comfort and encouragement in the middle of all kinds of struggles. It be came a place where people can be vulnerable and honest about the trials of life and the struggles of faith while still clinging to hope, and a place where we could all participate in Celebrating Willow’s life on earth. A place where so many could learn a little bit about what it means to “Walk by faith, and not by sight.”

come together and find comfort and encouragement in the middle of struggles, where people could be vulnerable and honest about the trials of life while still clinging to hope, and a place where we could participate in Celebrating Willow’s life on earth.

As many of you know God used that page, Will and Adrienne’s faith, and Willow's story to touch the lives of thousands. It became as a vivid reminder of the immeasurable value of life and the way God can work in the most broken of situations to being healing and new life.

And you allowed us to bring her walking on the road all over the world.

And through that she had had the oppertunity to bless many

I truly believe it was a miracle.

On that page you shared a bible verse , “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

And through that page Willow got a chance to walk all over the world. Inspiring faith and hope everywhere she went.

And today her life on earth is a testament to the God of hope. Today her life ought to turn our minds and our hearts to the hope Willow’s parents embraced on her behalf.

We have all learned a lot about what it means to walk in faith from their example.

Willow’s life reminded us that that walk of faith, doesn't need to be a silent and solitary one.

Adrienne shared with me a few weeks ago that she is learning through this that no matter how long we have on this earth our duty to each other is the same. To walk each other home. To come together when the pathway seems clear and when its dark. To walk together in faith even when we cant see what is around the next corner.

Will and Adrienne. You have done that with Willow, and you have showed all of us what it means to do that for each other. You walked her home, well done.

On that page you shared a bible verse , “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

I dont think I have ever understood that verse

It was so appropriate to the journey you have been on, and the road that is still ahead. We never know how things will turn out at the end of the day, life has a way of stepping in and changing everything when we least expect it. But we can walk in hope

And you showed us what that looks like.

The words of 2 Corinthians were written by someone who also knew what it was like to take steps of faith when you cant see whats next. They were written by someone who truly believed that our ultimate hope is rooted in Christ and played out in the resurrection.

were written by someone who knew what it was like to see God work when you cant see the next step. They were written by someone who truly believed that our one true hope rooted in Christ and played out in the resurrection.

. They were written by someone who truly believed that our one true hope rooted in Christ and played out in the resurrection.

So today though we grieve may we put your trust not in what we can see. But instead in the God who raises the dead.

As I looked at the verses around was reminded just how appropriate much of that passage is for today. So as I conclude lets take a moment to hear the promises of scripture, calling, offering, and encouraging us to put our HOPE in Christ and in the Resurrection as we walk together by faith.

says this as the apostle Paul talks about his trials and struggles in sharing the Gospel, in his own difficult walk of faith.

In his life like ours

The New International Version Chapter 4

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.

These very old words were written by someone who know what it was like to walk faith out in love in the middle of hardship.

The New International Version Chapter 4

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.

The New International Version Chapter 4

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.

The New International Version Chapter 4

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

for we walk by faith and not by sight.

That promise is open to anyone who puts their hope and trust in Christ. That promise that this life is not the end, that if we put our trust and hope in Jesus.

Conclude

This life will not get the final word. That one day the sickness, the hurt, and the groaning of this would will be healed. That our imperfect bodies will rise again perfect and on that renewed world we will dwell together with the God who calls us sons and daughters us forever.

I have seen that promise and that Hope has bring Will and Adrienne strength and comfort during these months and if you haven’t put your hope and trust in Christ I would love to talk with you.

W - Conclude

There is nothing that None of this makes this loss any less of a loss or any less painful. It doesn't make it all better. And Will, Adrienne, Liam, and Evangeline will

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G

Y

W

Finding out

Feelings

Bible verse

Willow’s Life (walking with willow)

What we learned

Reading the Rest

what it tells us

Willow Marie Droogsma - 12.4.18

I - Finding Out

W - Walking with Willow

G- Walking by faith and not by sight

Willow Marie Droogsma - 12.4.18

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I - Finding Out

W - Walking with Willow

G- Walking by faith and not by sight