Our Bishop, Marie Jerge has blessed me with stories of the ways she has used Journey With Jeff in her ministry within the whole, church-wide ELCA. This weekend she shared this story: A church was closing its doors forever, and Bishop Marie wanted to help them in their grief, and encourage them to continue trusting God. She chose a letter I wrote to God near the end of Jeff's life to illustrate: "O God! My heart is broken with the suffering of Jeff. I ask you to have much mercy. He's ready to go and see Jesus, to take Jesus' hand...he's so weak. After I asked yesterday that no tube be put down his stomach for food, I thought of the enormity of that decision, but medication for seizures didn't stop the one he went through for an hour and a half the night before! O Lord, have mercy! Signed, Your Sybil~~~~ My Sybil, my dear, dear Sybil. My Bob and my Jennifer and several of Jeff's friends whose hearts he has captured are hurting, too. I hear your prayers. My Son died, too. My parent's heart hears yours. Trust me, My child, please. Trust into My care Jeff Reisch. I know how hard it is to wait for me to take him Home with Me. The hugs you're getting and giving are My hugs, My presence. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord! I love you. I hear you! Trust Me. I will not leave you comfortless. You saw a huge rainbow through the hospital window, a sure sign of My presence with you through it all! Praise me, and remember...lean hard! Signed, Immanuel -- God with us!" Bishop Marie was a caregiver to people at a church struggling with special needs, and as she quotes "Journey With Jeff" she continues to bless me!
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