Saturday, March 29, was the worst day of my life in all of my 28 years.
My big brother Michael unexpectedly went to be with the Lord. He was only 40 years old. He went to sleep Friday night and didn’t wake up Saturday morning. We are beyond devastated & absolutely heartbroken…
My heart hurts especially for my sweet parents & the precious family he left behind. No parent should ever have to bury a child. And my sister-in-law, who has been by his side for the last 21 years, is now a widow and going to be raising their four beautiful kids (including a 6 month old baby who will never know her father) on her own. I just cannot imagine…
Michael & I had a really special bond. He was my friend & he meant so much to me. His speech at our wedding was one of my most precious memories of the whole weekend, especially because I know how much he hated speaking in front of people. He was so nervous! He really loved Jonathan too….always called him “brother” and they were pretty inseparable at family functions. They were supposed to work together today actually. I just can’t wrap my mind around the fact that we are never going to see him again and I feel totally overwhelmed when I start thinking about it.
And of course I can’t help but have regrets. I wish I would have spent more time with him…told him how much I loved him….prayed for him more. Friends, go hug your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you often. I know we hear that often, but tomorrow is not promised to any of us and you just never know…
Our faith, family, & friends are getting us through day by day. I cannot imagine going through this without faith….the only comfort we have in knowing the promises of God’s Word. Knowing that God will never leave us and never forsake us. That He works together for the good, even we do not understand it. That He will give us peace that surpasses all understanding and comfort us as we mourn. Michael knew the Lord as his personal Savior, and we find comfort and peace in knowing he is in the arms of Jesus.
Still, this is the hardest thing I have every experienced. My heart hurts beyond words. The next few days are going to be unbelievably tough for our family as we lay him to rest on Thursday. I know I have some prayer warriors that read the blog, and I would really, really appreciate prayers for our family during this time. Especially for my parents as they bury their only son. For my sister-in-law as she buries her husband, best friend, provider, and the father of her children. And for the kids as they bury their daddy. Also, for us siblings as we say goodbye to our brother.
RIP Michael Rainey. You are forever in our hearts and will be so missed…
54 comments:
So sorry to hear, lots of good thoughts and prayers to your family.
OH, I am so sorry Danielle. I am praying for you and your family.
Sending prayers your way! It physically hurts to lose a loved one. I lost my dad to cancer on Christmas of 2013. He was only 51. My heart still hurts so bad. You will get through this hard time with the help of the Lord.
Oh I'm so sorry for your loss. No words, becuase nothing makes it better. Prayers your way for all your family and his wife and children. I don't comment often but do read often.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my prayers.
Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
Danielle,
I've recently come across your blog and have been so encouraged by your enthusiasm for your family, husband, child, and most of all for the Lord. I know that not a single word I say could ever do justice to the pain you and your family are feeling. But, you are right, your brother is in the arms of Jesus. You are in my prayers girl. Thank you for being such a fierce example of a prayer warrior as you have totally encouraged me to really dig deeper in my own prayer life.
I am so sorry for your loss, keeping you and your family in my prayers.
my heart grieves with and for your precious family!
I'm so sorry for your loss and that of your entire family.
I'm deeply sorry for your lost, I will be praying for you and your family to find peace in this time of pain.
I am so sorry for your loss I will be praying for you and your family. We lost my brother in law last weekend he was only 46. His death was also sudden and unexpected. I know this is so hard but we know that they are in a better place and this is God's plan.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I am soo sorry to heart his Danielle!!! I hope that you guys are able to find answers with God and support one another and hold each other up as you all go through this!! You mention how hard it is going to be for everyone else, but your heart is clearly breaking as well!! Praying for you all!!
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Your family is in my prayers.
So sorry for your loss. I will be sending lots of thoughts and prayers for your family.
Praying for your family. It's so hard to lose someone unexpectedly.
my heart breaks for you and your family. sending so much love to you. may the outpouring of love, support and memories surround and comfort you during this devastating time. xoxo
My condolences to you and your family on your loss. I will definitely be praying for your family.
So sorry for your loss. Praying for peace and understanding for you guys during this time.
I'm so sorry for your loss! Pray and hope God will give you comfort and strength to go through this difficult time in your life
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Ohhh Danielle, I am so sorry for your loss. I have a Bible study I attend every Thursday. I will have a special moment of prayer dedicated to your brother and your family. My deepest sympathies.
You and your family are in my prayers.
Revelation 21:4
and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away
So very sorry for you and your families loss. I will be praying for all of you during this very difficult time.
I am so so so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your sweet family!
I am so very sorry for your loss. I am praying for you all!
Many prayers for you & your family during this difficult time. I am so terribly sorry for your loss.
Wow. I can't even imagine! I will be praying for all of you!
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I am so sorry for your family! Praying and lifting you all up from Colorado!
Danielle, praying for you and your family during this time. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. xo
I am so sad to hear about your loss, Danielle. I'll definitely be praying for you and your family, especially over the next few days.
I am so sorry for your family's loss. Praying for you all!
I am so sorry for your family's loss. Praying for you all!
I am so sorry for your family's loss. Praying for you all!
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers.
Danielle, I love reading your blog. You're so inspirational to me. I'm praying for you and your family. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Our family will be praying.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Danielle, I have been reading your blog for about a year now, you have been an inspiration to be a godlier wife and my heart goes out to you and your family! Many prayers to you and may you always remember the good times. Memory eternal!
Oh Danielle, I am so very sorry for your loss. I can't imagine your pain and wish there were words that weren't lacking, that could help take away some of the pain for your family.
Your loved ones will be in my prayers.
Sending endless prayers and strength to you and your family during this difficult time. <3
I'm another reader who has been reading for awhile. I'm so sorry to hear this. I know there is nothing we can say to ease your pain, but you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Ecclesiastes 3 always makes me feel better...there is a time to everything.
I so enjoy &look forward to your blog posts. Your example in your marriage of loving & honoring your husband, your example as a mother of doing what you find absolutely best for your son, your example of following Christ unashamedly. .. You encourage me so much. I feel like we're friends though you have no idea who I am. Thank you for your words & for living life real not just the good times. I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine. I'm praying right now & will continue to pray for your family. God, please Bring your absolutely overwhelming peace. Let your presence be felt heavily in this time, especially for the sweet kids left without a father. Bring comfort in the sorrow & strength in the pain.
I pray for you and your family!
Love you! Thinking and praying for you and your family! xoxo
This is my first time on your blog, and I cannot imagine what you're going through, but my thoughts & prayers are with you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Praying for you and all of your family. How tragic. I'm praying for strength for all of you.
So sorry for your terrible terrible loss. Praying for you tonight
Danielle I'm so very sorry. I can't even imagine what all of you are going through right now. Please know that God is with you & I'll be praying for you.
Danielle, I am so sorry for you loss. Please let us know if there is a way to help at all. Has there been a fund set up to help with cost, etc? I would be happy to help any way possible. Bless you and your poor family. Saying lots of prayers!
I can't even imagine what you're going through. Please know that I'm praying for you and your entire family!
Danielle Iam so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. I so enjoy reading your blog. I got to your blog by reading Emily's. I too know the pain of the loss of someone so very dear. In 2003 my 22 year old son went to sleep on a Friday night and did not wake up Saturday morning. It is a loss so devastating. You are so right that a parent should never have to bury their child. I will be in prayer for you and your family, your Mom and Dad are especially on my heart. Lean on God's promise that we will be together again.
Danielle, I am tremendously sorry for your family's loss, especially for those precious babies. I lost my stepfather this past week as well, so your loss has hit me close to home. You will all be in my thoughts, and especially my prayers!
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