A Big Thank You and a Few Little Thoughts

Thank so much to each of you who have reached out to the Russell family so beautifully. Your comments have touched their hearts and mine as well. I also want to thank each of you who left comments on my other posts. Your words encouraged me and I read each one!

A few of you asked for my e-mail address. It’s holley@dayspring.com. I may not be able to respond because of the number of e-mails I receive but I promise to read each one. A few of you also asked for DaySpring’s address and you can find that on the DaySpring web site in the Contact Us section or by clicking here.

I also wanted to share a little from my heart with you today. I recently spoke at a women’s ministry meeting about releasing our burdens to God. We each wrote something God was asking us to let go of and placed it in a basket on the stage. On my piece of paper I wrote “fear.” I’ve been asking God a lot lately why I always seem to be running. It’s hard for me to sit still and my to-do list is usually a mile long. I felt like the Lord helped me see in that time of reflection that sometimes I’m not just running…I’m running away.

I’m running away from the fear of being rejected.

I’m running away from feeling insignificant.

I’m running away from the sense that I’m just not enough.

So I laid my “fear” in the basket and turned to walk back to my seat. As I did, I paused for a moment and asked the Lord, “What are you giving me in exchange?” I believe God always gives us something in return for what we release to Him. Beauty for ashes. Strength for weakness. Grace for guilt. I sensed Him whispering to my heart one simple word, “Trust.” That’s the opposite of fear. It’s about resting, abiding, and staying connected to the Vine and so His life flows through us. Trust is about remaining rather than running.

I love the passage in John where Jesus says, “I’m the vine and you’re the branches. Remain in Me and you’ll bear much fruit.” The last time I read it I felt the Lord impressing on my heart that growth and productivity are His responsibilities in my life. He lovingly confirmed that again this morning.

So, Lord, teach me trust. Show me how to abide. Draw me close to You. Help me discover the ways that “Be still and know that I am God” can be so much more powerful than “Be on the go all the time.” I lay my to-do list down and take Your loving hand instead. I thank You that through the cross You have already marked everything that matters “done.” Amen.

I'd love for you to help me learn more about this. How is God teaching you to trust and rest in Him?

Matthew Russell - A Little Boy with Big Faith

Last summer I had the privilege of helping facilitate a grief support group. Each person’s story deeply touched my heart and helped me write Comfort & Encouragement: A One-Year Ministry Guide for Helping Those Who Are Hurting. Thank you again to each of you who were a part of that group. 

There’s an amazing little boy I’ve thought of almost every day since the group ended, and I’d like to introduce you to him today. His name is Matthew Russell. I didn’t get to meet Matt in person because he went to heaven last November after a car accident. But I feel like I’ve had the blessing of getting to know him through his wonderful parents, Dana and Greg. They shared his remarkable story with me and I’m so honored they’re letting me share it with you. I know you’ll be blessed and inspired by Matt the way I have been.

   

Matt was born October 23, 1997. He shared his birthday with his twin sister and best friend, Katelyn. During his short time on earth, Matt was an active member of his church, an outstanding student, and an athlete with a “winning attitude” and “coachable spirit.” Matt was dearly loved by his family and known as a “loyal and faithful friend” to his classmates and many others in the community.

Matt became a Christian at age seven and had a deep faith. This became especially evident when his parents looked at a spelling test Matt took during his last day on earth. Matt’s parents wrote on the back of the program for his service…

On the very day Matthew died, he took a spelling test at school. The 20 words on the test all contain ‘ea’ sounds. At the bottom of their papers, the students were instructed to write a sentence using as many of the spelling words as possible. Matthew’s sentence is a gift from God that assures us that Matthew is where his heart longed to be.

A few hours after he wrote this sentence, Matt was home with his Heavenly Father. The teacher said she had never asked students to write a sentence on their papers before but felt prompted to do so that day. With those few words, Matt left a legacy of faith that brings hope to the hearts of all who knew him…and many more who are looking forward to meeting him one day.

The evening Matt died, his grandmother gave Dana the book “90 Minutes in Heaven.” It was sitting by the phone when she received the call about her son. While nothing can take away the hurt they feel, the Russells find comfort in these small reminders of God’s presence even in the midst of tragedy.

Matt spent ten years on this earth. He loved, laughed, and lived to the fullest. He brought incredible joy to his friends and family. He made a difference in the world. Matthew Russell’s life is an inspiration and reminder to us all that it’s not about counting our days but about making each day—and every word—count.

Dana and Greg graciously gave me permission to share Matt’s story and they’ll be reading this page. If you’d like to leave a comment for them you can do so below. I’d also love for you share this page with your friends and family by using the "Send to a friend' link above so many more people can honor Matt’s memory and be touched by this little boy with big faith.

Fun Moments with Family and Friends

My nephew Kaleb and father-in-law Terry at one of our favorite local breakfast spots on Saturday morning.

My dear friend Heather and her sweet boy Micah. He loves touching this giant water globe on our town square. It has prayers for peace in many different languages on it.

Micah and Heather strolling through the Farmer's Market.

And last but not least, my 3 month-old nephew Kohl in his new costume. We nicknamed him the "Halloweenie".