Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Missing Jonathan

Today will be two weeks since the day my wonderful husband was taken from me. I miss him in the depths of my soul. There will never be a day as long as I am here on Earth that I will not miss his smile, his touch, his voice, his laugh, his desire to make me happy, his humor . . . If you knew him, you knew how loving, kind, merciful, generous . . . . (I could go on and on) he was. It was clear to anyone who knew him that letting Jesus work in and through his life was the number one priority to him. I am happy to say that I of course came second, which is the right, biblical way to be married. We loved each other so completely with the love that only Jesus Christ can give to two married people. We were made for each other. I loved being in ministry with Jonathan and serving on his staff. He was such a good spiritual leader in our home and in his staff as well. The four years that we were married were absolutely wonderful, and I will never forget the love that we shared and the memories we made. I will always love him. I will always tell our child how wonderful his/her father was and that he will be waiting for us in Heaven. This is my hope, that I do not have to live in this sinful world forever, it is not my home, Heaven is my home, and soon I hope Jesus returns to take all of His children home with Him. Thirdly, he loved the church and wanted to serve the people in it whole-heartedly. He loved the people at Shoal Creek-he cried over them, stayed up at night over them, worried over them-he wanted so badly to see the Holy Spirit come and work in the lives of the church and in the community. He was able to see that before he was taken. We talked together about how excited we were about the changes we could see in the spirit of Shoal Creek. We also talked about how excited we were to see new people accepting Jesus’ gift for the first time and becoming a part of the family at Shoal Creek. We were excited about seeing people who had been at Shoal Creek become active and working for the Lord. I hope and pray that the vision God gave Jonathan will continue at Shoal Creek and that his work will continue on as well.
It is clear to me that some of you who have read his blog did not know him and has not let the Lord save you from your sins. Jonathan believed in a man called Jesus. He believed that He could take away your sin and give you a life in Heaven when you are taken from this world. I would like to share with you how you can know Jesus like my Jonathan did here on earth, and even more so now in Heaven.
1. You need to know that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 says that All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This means that we have all done things wrong in the eyes of God-stealing, lying, having sex with someone who is not your husband/wife, murdering, gossiping-there are a multitude of things that can go under this category. Everyone has sinned.
2. You need to know that there are consequences for that sin. Romans 6:23 says that The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Because we sin, we earn death forever in a place called Hell. If you die and do not know Jesus as your Savior you will spend forever in Hell.
3. You need to know that Jesus died for those sins so that we would not have to die forever. Romans 5:8 says that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Jesus died and took all the sins of the world on himself as well as the punishment for those sins. He did this so that you and I would not have to do it.
4. To be saved from your sin, you must trust that Jesus died and rose again, and that He has the power of taking away your sins. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that it is by grace (God giving you what you don't deserve) you have been saved through faith (putting your trust in Jesus), it is not of yourself, so you cannot boast about it. Romans 10:9-10 says that if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It is really a simple thing.
5. If you want to tell Jesus that you trust Him with taking away your sin and that you want to live for Him for the rest of your life, and with Him in Heaven after you die, you can say the following prayer. “Jesus, thank you for coming to Earth from Heaven to save us from our sins. I want to tell you now that I believe in you and that I want you to take away my sins and wash me clean. For the rest of my life I want to be committed to You and to Your work. I want to live with you forever in Heaven. Thank You!”
6. If you prayed that prayer and truly believed it, you are now a Christian. It is important to find a local Bible believing church that you can be a part of and one in which you can be baptized. Congratulations in your new found faith! I have no doubt that my husband Jonathan is rejoicing with you now!

Sorry the blog is so lengthy, but it is all what I needed to say and what I thought people needed to hear! God bless!

13 comments:

Erin S. said...

Abby,
You are one amazing woman of God! I love you and I'm praying for you always.

Erin

Unknown said...

Dear Abby,
Thank-you for a beautiful-touching blog! Have wondered how you were doing?!
I hope you'll continue Jonathan's blog for those of us who've enjoyed reading it...
I never had the joy of meeting you or Jonathan, but what I've read tells me all I need to know.
Two beautiful people who/are very much in love w/a passion that shines above all others.
Again, you have put your own interest/pain/heartache aside to reach out to other's. How selfless of you. Does it get any more loving than that?
I'm sorry Jonathan's time on earth was short. What a loss not only to you, but Shoal Creek, family and friends. My prayers are with you all.
Your heart must be aching and your mind confused @ times. I don't understand God's decisions or timing in situations like this, but I hope to someday.
I'll watch this blog in anticipation of hoping to read about the birth/celebration of your beautiful child. He/she is very lucky. They're blessed w/great parents and a loving family.
You're as beautiful as Jonathan. I can see why God brought you two together. He's a great matchmaker, isn't he? What you two shared in 4 years together, some couples don't share in 40. You're blessed, "Sweet Abby" as was Jonathan.
Thank-you for taking the time to comfort us, when it is us, who should be comforting you.
Jonathan must be smiling and beaming w/pride once again about the woman he loved/wrote so lovingly about in this blog. You've just taken it to a new level. His heart must be overflowing w/joy.
OK! Plus, his loving "Georgia Dogs" won over the weekend. I'm guessing he's celebrating "big tme this week."
Don't know if it's any consolation or not, but have started back to church after a long sabbatical because of Jonathan. Feels good to be home again...
Take care, God Bless and hope to read more.
Prayers from AZ..

greenacre254 said...

Thank you for this blog. Please know that I've been praying for you and your family since I heard your husband died. My heart just breaks for you, your unborn child and his extended family but I am inspired by your total faith in the Lord, knowing that your husband is glorifying our Father in Heaven and living out an eternal life that we can only imagine. God bless you and I will continue to pray for you and yours.

Anonymous said...

Thank you.

Unknown said...

God bless you Abby!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderfully strong, Godly woman you are! My family and I went to church with Jonathan at Goodnews Baptist several years ago. Such a Godly man! You and baby Ayers are in our prayers. May God continue to give you strength.

Anonymous said...

Abby, your courage is amazing! And I know where it comes from...the Lord Almighty!

Please stay in touch. I continue to keep you in prayer.

Michelle Painter

Indian Lake Papa said...

God bless - You will be in my prayers.

Kaitlin Clark said...

You are an amazing woman of God and Jonathan was an amazing man of God. Because I trust in God I know that so many blessings will come out of this tragedy!!! Our God wastes nothing! I love you Abby and I am praying for you and your sweet baby!

Britt and Adam said...

Your husband was one of the Godliest men I have ever know, I am proud to call you both friend.
Love you Abby
Adam and Britt

selahV said...

Abby, I've been praying for you since the day this all happened and I read it online. I posted a request for prayer for you that day on my blog. I also put your name on our S.S. department prayer list. And now I see where you are going to blessed with a baby boy! Know that my heart continues to hold you and lift you up to the throne of grace.

You have a beautiful spirit and so did Jonathan. Thanks for continuing this blog. May you have the "new beginnings" with your baby you need to carry you through this time of grief. And may Christ continue to fill you with Himself in the void you have. selahV

wendy said...

Thank you for doing what God wants you to do. Those were much needed words for people who are just 'stopping by' because of links to the blog. You are blessed.

Unknown said...

Abby,
God will never leave nor forsake you. He will always be there with you through ALL things. He will strengthen you...He will keep you...He will sustain you...He will always love you. He STILL has an awesome plan for your life.

May He Bless you abundantly.
Your Bro in Christ,
Mark W. Nolan (Melbourne, Australia)