Joshua, I miss you. You died five years ago today. There are times when I look around for you and expect you to be there. There are times when I remember your laugh, your smile and your hyperactive joy. They bring a smile to my face. You created laughter in our family even when we […]
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Pastoral Care, Personal | Tagged: Death, Grief, Joshua Mark Hicks, Suffering | 
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
Nine years ago Jennifer delivered Leah stillborn. The next Sunday her congregation sang, “God is so good.” The words caught in Jennifer’s throat, and she could not sing. Instead she found a place to weep alone. “I’m dead inside,” Becky says. Her church, shepherds, family and friends had begged God for sixteen-year-old Joshua. But Jeff’s […]
13 Comments | Pastoral Care | Tagged: Caregiving, Death, Grief, Joshua Mark Hicks, Lament, Leah Bristol, Pastoral, Suffering | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
“Does remembering you son cause you pain?” That is a tough question to answer. Yes and No. Yes, to relive some of the moments of hurt is painful. To relive the moment the doctor told us that Joshua was not going to get better. To relive the moment his body was carried from our house […]
6 Comments | Pastoral Care, Personal | Tagged: Grief, Joshua Mark Hicks, Lament, Suffering | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
May 21, 2001 is the day Joshua Mark Hicks “went home.” The quotations marks have significant meaning because I don’t think Joshua went home. Home is with me; home is in this creation. God created this world as our home and death is an alien invader that disrupts the shalom of this world. But I […]
10 Comments | Pastoral Care, Personal | Tagged: Death, Grief, Joshua Mark Hicks, Lament, Suffering | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks