Jeremy Sams Art Blog

Thursday, March 31, 2011

He Being Dead, Yet Speaketh

What a beautiful sound to hear your baby's heartbeat on a monitor. But dreams become nightmares when all you hear is silence. For 40 weeks, we dreamed about our upcoming birth. We dreamed of what this child would look like and who's features he/she would have. We prayed even before the child was conceived that God would give us a little preacher boy. On March 29, 2011, God answered our prayers.

However, he's not your typical preacher boy. You see, the day before he was delivered, we found out through ultrasound that our baby had already gone home to meet his Lord. So, how does he preach?

His name is Zion Jeremiah Sams. The Hebrew root of the word Zion means waymark or sign. It was often used of an object or place to help people find their way. "Jeremiah" means of whom Jehovah has appointed. Of the Old Testament prophet, God said,
"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
My little preacher boy has already preached God's sovereignty and God's grace to people all over the world, literally. God's sovereignty is preached in the fact that his death was a sovereign act of our Creator. Job 1:21 says,
"...the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
 The Doctor and hospital staff had no explanation as to his death. He was a beautiful healthy baby boy. "There was nothing anyone could have done or done differently", the Dr. told us. This was unexplainable to man, but not to God.

Little Zion is preaching God's grace in the fact that the grace of God is presently encompassing my family.  Crystal and I spent much time alone holding our little preacher while watching the sunset, praising God, and rejoicing in His goodness. We are hurting bitterly. We weep...but not as those who have no hope. Our heart is broken, yet something strengthens us. My dear friend, Pastor Jeremy Varner gave me this verse that explains it so well, found in Psalm 73:26,
"My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
But, how does this happen? How can those grieving the loss of a child still have joy amidst the tears? How can a mother laboring to deliver a lifeless child raise her hands in praise as we listen to the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sing Psalm 3? One small, beautiful, powerful word explains it: GRACE...God's undeserved, unearned favor and goodness.

I will post more later as this will be therapeutic for me. To God be the glory.

21 comments:

  1. Although I have not met you, Jeremy, I am a fellow "Jewelry Lady" with Crystal. She is wonderful, beautiful, Christian woman. I am so blessed to have become friends with her through Premier. I have been thinking of you and also shed a few tears since I heard the news yesterday. Both of you are in my prayers.

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  2. Hey Jeremy, it's Trisha. I just wanted you guys to know that we are praying for you all as well as all of our friends up and down the eastern seaboard! Your faith is amazing and we stand with you knowing that God is at work.

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  3. That was beautifully written Jeremy. Wish there was something I could do for you guys. But I am doing all I know to do which is praying non stop. I am so glad that when man's hands are tied God can take over and offer His comfort. Love you guys so much. Zion will not be forgotten. He has already left his footprints in my heart and I haven't even met him.

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  4. Jeremy and Crystal,
    God grieves with you as He knows what it is like to lose a son. He loves you, and as you mentioned in your post, His grace is what will sustain you (2 Cor 12). I hope y'all get some rest today. We are praying for y'all.
    God bless,
    Mel Winstead.

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  5. fJeremy and Crystal.
    Our hearts were broken when we heard about little Zion. Jeremy what you wrote was beautiful it really touch my heart. We will keep you and Crystal in our prayers. God Grace is all we need,He is always there.
    God Bless and Comfort you both.
    Ronnie and Donna Key

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  6. What a beautiful testimony of God's grace and the faith of your family in a God who is real - and good - even in the most difficult of times. You guys are in the prayers of many, including those of our family. May our Father hold you and strengthen you in the days to come, give you grace beyond measure and peace that passes understanding, and may you rest in His promises of hope and healing, and that one day you will see your precious little boy again (II Samuel 12:23).

    With Love and Prayers,
    the Winsteads

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  7. God be with you and your family. I learned of this through Jennifer and I cried for your family. How strong you all are. He is with God and therefor no need to worry. Nothing in this horrible world can hurt him and he will wait for you when the time comes. Keep the faith and know that even tho I am not good with words, my heart pours out love for my fellow parents. God has all the answers and is with you.

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  8. Praying with you and for you. Love you all!

    -Ashley

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  9. Jeremy & Crystal,
    I celebrate baby Zion's home going with you. I can't begin to imagine the emotions you both must be going through. We all know our Lord Jesus Christ will sustain you, strengthen you, lift you, encourage you & empower you as He has promised throughout His Word. Thank you for sharing our God's Amazing Love to the world. You both are precious in His sight and an encouragement to your brothers and sisters in Christ. I'll be praying for you both.
    Your Sister in Christ,
    Karen Campbell

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  10. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. God bless you.

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  11. Jeremy,

    We are so sorry for your tremendous loss, but we praise God for your tremendous testimony in the mist of life's storm. We are praying for you and your family.

    In Christ,
    Brandon Dupont

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  12. Jeremy and Crystal,
    We love you and are praying for God to give you strength and comfort today and in the days to come. I know this is one of the toughest things either one of you have had to face, but on the other side of this, you will be so much stronger in the Lord. One day you may be able to help someone that is going through a similar trial and share your testimony of how God's grace and love carried you through this. What a Savior we serve!
    For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. – Ephesians 3:14-20
    Love and Prayers
    Preacher Barry and Cathy

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  13. Jeremy and Crystal
    Just want you to know we love you both and we are praying for you .
    What you wrote jermey was beautiful and I know God will bring you through and you will see Zion again and what a happy day that will be!
    Love and Prayers
    John,Brenda,Joshua,Anna Laton

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  14. Jeremy and Crystal,
    Just wanted to let you both know that we are praying for you that God will give you the strength and grace you need as you celebrate Zion's home going today. I have been told that the passing of a child is the hardest of all. But Praise the Lord you have the Comforter with you and he will see you through. So sorry I didnt get to be at the service. Distance and work kept me from being there. Love and Prayers. Virginia and family.

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  15. Jeremy and Crystal,
    I am so sorry for your loss please know my husband and I are praying for you both, and if you need anything let us know we love you.
    Joe and Tia Grant

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  16. Jeremy and Crystal,
    David and I was not aware that you were expecting again. I'm sadden by this news. We will keep you and your family in our prayers. I know you have a strong faith so you will get through this. You know what we have been through and God has been there every step of the way. If you need anything please let us know.
    Love you guys,
    Michelle Chriscoe

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  17. I am a father who has walked the road you now must follow...just wanted to offer prayers and support to you and your wife. I admire your faith and courage in facing the loss of your son. My wife and I lost our son at 4 months old in august of 2009. Her blog is thejonesfamily52009.blogspot.com and if you or your wife care to follow any of our grief journey it begins that august. She was real and raw about her emotions, feelings and faith. If I can offer any support, feel free to email me at jjones@martin.k12.nc.us. For us, we loved our friends dearly and appreciated their support but we found solace among those who understood the depth and impact of the loss of our son.

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  18. Jeremy and Crystal, I've been thinking about you sooo much. May the Lord continue to comfort you and give you great revelation of your sweet sons life and purpose, for no life and no death is in vain. Psalm 20 Love and blessings, Prudence Ramos and family.

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  19. Jeremy and Crystal,
    As you have spoken so shall it be. I am so grateful to know and be a part of your family. Yall have endured much and required nothing, such a blessed people you are. For it is not why, how, when,where,or how much, but it is from the father for his people. Just as the realization of Christ in You the Hope of Glory, we no not our path and sometime question its origin. But God the Father of us all has prepared the way and only ask of us to accept his presence as it is our present. His Son Jesus Christ who knew no sin came to this world to become sin, so that sin could be abolished. He gave us his son,our present,to lead the way to take away the plaque of sin so we will have a vehicle to return to the Father, without blemish or faults. For as He said it is I who created all things and nothing will come back to me null and void. So as the sun riseth in the east and sets in the west so shall the coming of the Lord shall be. It is by far a Blessing beyond all measures that yall were chosen to go through this trial and come out victorious. Only a chosen few could do such a deed and not falsely accuse their maker of the awful thing that has taken place. Be ye strong therefore the calling of the Lord in thy life as you both were chosen before you were in the wombs to stand strong and upright in the Lord in the midst of adversity. Ye are a Blessed people. Go Ye therefore and continue in the path God has chosen as you will only need your Faith in the Trinity as your only strength and Path. I feel blessed to know such people as you are. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your Life. INRE, Christ with us.
    Love yall, Rick and Deb

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  20. Thank you for sharing this. You don't know me, but this caught my attention because I have a Zion too. I also have a Judah and he is in heaven. Judah means "praise", and my husband and I are also learning to say that in life or death we will praise him. So glad I came across your story. I'll be praying for you as God continues to take you through this.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Gina for your encouragement and prayers...I love the names!

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