Counting Blessings - by Vanessa Hanna
On March 23, 2012, my baby, Justin Emanuel Hanna, lost his life in a swimming incident. He was just 18.
In an effort to try to make sense out of this tragedy - which then and now seems so surreal - I spoke with the doctor. The results were inconclusive regarding what caused him to collapse and go under the water. She told me it could have been a blood clot or it could have been going from a hot hike to the cool water. It could have been... No matter what, the end result was the same. We don't know, but God knows it all.
It was all so overwhelming. My mind was racing. "This can't be. He hasn't begun his summer internship yet. He hasn't finished college. He hasn't gotten married and had children. He hasn't..."
Through tears and incredible pain, I was eventually allowed to process a little more, with God's help. I remembered that my prayers and desires for Justin and my oldest son, Donavan, included (and still do) that they be surrounded by Godly influences, to be a blessing to society and, most of all, to be saved into God's kingdom. I began to review Justin's life, especially over the last few months.
Approximately two months before he went to sleep, Justin sent me the most beautiful text message that said, "Ma, can we start praying together?" I responded with more joy than he could know in a text message. I said, "Yes! And, can we have a devotional thought, too?" He said yes! Through tears, I had to thank God for that. (...)
Our children are not perfect, and there are no perfect parents. However, it is so important for parents to do all they can to stay connected with their children. It is so important to rejoice with them over their victories no matter how small they may seem. It is so important to be firm but understanding when they make mistakes. It is so important for them to know that you love them at all times, just the way God continues to love us all even when we fall. It is equally important for children to stay connected with their parents. Parents need to know and be shown that they are loved. Bonds are more tightly sealed with continuous and collaborative cooperation.
I would never have chosen for Justin to be gone so soon. However, when I look through spiritual eyes, I am so happy that God allowed him enough time to absorb and apply the things that I, his father (the late Silvaris Hanna), his brother Donavan, his sister Ariel, his family, his friends, and other godly influences impressed upon him. Thank you God!
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Wednesday, April 3rd 2013 at 6:12PM
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