I woke up to your sister's sleepy breathing, and it sounded just like yours. I woke up to the night's bright stars, and they looked like your smile. I woke up to your 19th birthday, and you weren't here; then I remembered where you are. You are breathing; alive and well and dancing with the night's stars in Heaven this year; and although I can't hear you or see you, I know you're here. You're all around us in your sister's laughs, hugs and tears. You're here in your daddy's sense of humor and love. You are here; and just like Jesus, I can't see you, but I can feel you. Happy 19th birthday, Joshua David Paul. I love you to Heaven and back.
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Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." This verse, simply put, is one of the easiest verses to translate from the Bible. Yet, sometimes it seems as though, it is the hardest one to obey. Last week was one of my most exhausting weeks, since we lost JD. At first, I fell into a deep physical rest; however, as it would turn out, my soul too needed rest. I took the time I needed to revive my body both physically and emotionally. I am blessed with a tremendous support system. God continues to use our church family, family, friends, community, nurses and doctors to show Himself when we need Him the most. This week has been a week that could be compared to one of "the sunshine after the rain". During this week of "sunshine", or can I say "SONshine"; we again have felt the rest that only our Lord can give. I would like to share an email with you that David received today. The email was written by Gary McCorkle. I do not know Gary personally, but God used him to give our family some much need rest. Gary's email reads:
"Let me say at the onset, that I didn't know J.d. Paul. (That was the way he signed his name most of the time.) That is, I never was introduced to him personally. But I knew him from afar. Let me back up a little and tell you what I mean... I knew him through my coworker Windy Poindexter, in my section whose parents attend the same church in Jesup that JD's family attends. I knew him through my buddy, Steve, who works at the hospital where I am employed, and we always compared high school baseball teams between Statesboro (where my kids went to school) and Wayne County from his home town. I knew JD, because he pitched for the Wayne County Yellow Jackets. Being in the same region, the rivalry between the Statesboro and Jesup teams was intense at times. One of the nicknames JD had during this time was "devil killer" which meant he usually got the best of the Blue Devils from Statesboro when they met. I knew JD was an integral part of 3 straight Region Championship baseball teams. (JD was an integral part of these teams as an all-star caliber pitcher and first baseman.) This was quite a feat as the aforementioned Statesboro team and the Jesup team both made it to the Elite 8 round in the 2014 playoffs of the GHSA. JD set records for lowest earned runs for starting pitchers/innings pitched. But I feel I knew JD's heart and witness from a story a friend recently retold while watching a baseball game at Mill Creek in Statesboro: JD and Clay, the present right fielder for Statesboro High, met at some of the summer league all-star games last year. Clay said he was surprised that JD willingly befriended him. He further asked JD if he didn't "abstain from being sociable" to the rival Blue Devils like some of his teammates seemed to be. JD just smiled and said, "No, that's not me." And they formed a nodding acquaintance and a mutual respect/brotherhood that bonds athletes together. By all accounts, his life of faith was shown by his interaction with others, his social media posts, and his life examples. (Georgia Southern University thought enough of JD's talent that they offered him a 4-year scholarship to play for the Eagles after high school.) On June 10, 2015, JD was involved in a car accident that frightened his family. However, he tweeted a message that told his mother, Chrisine, that he was okay; "Got's Got Me"- a statement that God was looking out for him no matter what. He would only have minor scratches from this wreck. I also knew that my coworker was distraught as she spoke of a recent fatal wreck on June 20th involving a star baseball player who attended her Mom and Dad's church in Jesup. It turned out I would know the name: JD Paul. "No! Don't tell me that!", I said. "I saw him pitch against Statesboro; he was gifted and had a great future ahead of him in baseball." But, it was true, and I was moved in my spirit; as were a lot of other folks in Jesup and South Georgia: people of the surrounding areas poured agape love into the Paul family during this painful time. Television, media, newspapers, etc. carried stories of the funeral and its bittersweet meanings. But God was not done yet....The Paul family has shown a side of grace, faith, and strength that is often unseen in the face of such tragedy. The Wayne County Magazine recently published their story of inspiration. Louisville Slugger printed a special edition bat with "God's Got Me"- JD Paul on it at the request of Michael Kirkland. JD's father continues to mentor to young folks by dinner outings. JD's sister, Hannah Paul, has spoken to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and organized a youth rally during homecoming. Chrisine now speaks to women who have suffered loss and also leads a womens' Bible Study. Acts 19:11 says. "God did extraordinary work through Paul." I always knew God would do great things through (JD) Paul. It was just through other ways than I expected: family, friends, church members, coworkers, and athletes wear wrist bands, t-shirts, hats and etc. with a resounding message of hope: "God's Got Me" and a testament of love. It turns out that God had a plan to do bigger and better things with (JD) Paul. His message will indeed live on in posterity, as JD surely waits in Eternity to show that indeed, "God's Got Us", if we believe in Him. I'm sure I will know JD one day. By his legacy and witness, it feels like I already do. Has "God Got You" today? (I'm sure JD is "making his pitch" for all of us to know HIm.)" Gary McCorkle Nevils UMC and Dayspring 56 Blessings for the week of March 25, 2016 (Holy Week) As his mother, I've said before that I have never been more proud of JD. This weekend we will celebrate the Risen Savior. Two days after Easter, our family and friends, will celebrate and remember JD's birthday. This is a day that I have dreaded since his earthly death. Yet again, my God has sent this "weary" heart some "rest" by the way church members, family, friends, and a man that I do not know personally. And I find myself feeling the need to remind you that it is through your faith in Jesus Christ that you too, will find "rest". Go to Him and find "rest" for whatever may be going on in your life. "If Jesus is all you have, then you have all you need." I have no words, only a thankful heart. We love this community. Thank you all for shining God's light into our sometimes dark world. God's got us all!
"Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord. He is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 106:1 We would like to thank every person who had a part in the memorial for JD today. For every friend who was there for Hannah; we give thanks. For every friend who was there for us; we give thanks. To our Father Who has been beside us during every moment of our new journey without JD; we give thanks. I have been asked, "How do you do it?" The most simple answer I can give is when people show us kindness, I see Jesus in them. Jesus is the only way. Thank you, Jesus.
"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." ~Lamentations 3:25-26. Sometimes we stomp and yell when God doesn't follow our plan for our lives. Even though we put our trust in Him, it can be very hard to wait on Him. Waiting in silence seems even more difficult. Being a school teacher I find myself telling my children, "Your focus should be on me, and you must be quiet." ; when I have something really important to share with them. As an adult, I need to take my own advice. I sometimes get so caught up in my own temper tantrum that I can not hear God's voice. I don't think God minds our outbursts to Him, because it is then when we are being honest with Him. However, like my students; we can learn so much more when we are quiet. When we seek Him with a calm, quite soul, we can hear the whispers of His goodness all around. God will either send someone or something to assure us of His goodness. We have been reminded of His goodness on several occasions, and today is no exception. David will be throwing out the first pitch at the Varsity game on Saturday, after a brief ceremony in memory of J.d. Paul. He was preparing to practice throwing with Hannah Paul when he found this ball. JD had started a message for his daddy on this ball, and was probably side tracked. The ball David received the night of JD's Senior night had the finished message on it.... "Thanks for always supporting me and loving me no matter what." What perfect timing for God to reveal this ball to David! Needless to say, this will be the ball that he throws out Saturday. God works on His time, not ours. I often think of how much I've missed, because I was too "loud" with my temper tantrums to hear His still, soft voice.
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