The Heart of a Thomas: Our Story Continued

On Oct 20th 2008, our 3 month wedding anniversary our Dad, Ty Scott Thomas, met Jesus. It was very sudden, no warning whatsoever. He had an aeortic dissection and was gone instantly, at home with the love of his life. One second he was here and the next he was getting his greatest wish, to meet Jesus. I remember that night, my Dad and Judy were getting ready to leave our house and we decided to pray. When we did, Mom prayed that how we handled this would glorify God. It was then that I realized, if we clung to Jesus, He would get us through it -- In fact, He was our only hope. That night as I lay in bed all I could really pray was Jesus help us. And then in the midst of the shock and sadness, praise song after praise song came to my mind. I also later found out the same happened for Mom. We could have been angry that night, we could have asked God where He was... but we knew. We knew He was with us on the way to the hospital, with us as we heard the news, and with us as we lay in bed not fully understanding what happened. He never left our side. The Celebration of Life service was wonderful, there were so many people there whose lives Dad had touched... days later even the lady at the cleaners got upset. It wasn't because he was perfect, or always friendly, or just so happy go lucky -- it was because he was real... But in his realness he really learned to enjoy the adventure and he made everyone he met feel important. At the Celebration of Life, I think we all realized for maybe the first time, that there could be joy in the midst of pain. I can't explain the feelings that we felt, but there was Joy, Joy in the most divine sense. And again that day, Mom summed it up for me... She said, if he could text her from heaven and give her the option to have him back, she would never ask him to come back; she would never ask him to leave the presence of our Savior, just for our comfort here on earth. The weeks and months following this are still a blur. The healing process is long, messy and not easy but He never left our side. We learned to trust Him with all that we had because there truly was no other option. So, instead of going on and on about all of the God moments we experienced or grief we felt, I'm going to give you the song that spoke most to me during this time. It was Casting Crowns, I'll Praise You In This Storm. The lyrics couldn't have spoken more to our hearts, through them and many good friends and family members, the healing began.

I was sure by now

That You would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

Every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry

You raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I also wanted to mention that alot of our healing came through the Church being the Church. Not just our church but all of our brothers and sisters in Christ, coming alongside and sharing what God had for them to give. Whether it was a quick phone call, a text, a prayer or even a card in the mail, God was faithful to send the right person at the right time. Seeing love in action in that way is something we won't ever forget.

The scripture I clung to:

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18 (New International Version)

HE WAS AND HE DID.