I am heartbroken today for Derek Loux's family. He died in a car accident. You can read about it here.
Derek came to our church last year and spoke passionately about orphans, adoption and human trafficking. It was at that meeting that the Lord confirmed to Paul and my hearts that we were to begin the process of adoption. As a result, we have been blessed with our beautiful daughter, Atarah Alana Michelle. I just talked with a friend who also adopted this year, and she said that the Lord put adoption on her and her husband's hearts as a result of his message that night as well. It was not only his words but the fact that he lived out his message that made it so compelling.
Some of the things that he said have never left my heart. One was his encouragement to say YES to God regarding caring for widows and orphans according to James 1:27 and Isaiah 58. To go ahead and go for it even if it seems impossible (in our situation, already having four young children, and as it turns out, also getting pregnant partway through the process). God is our good shepherd, he reminded us, and He won't give us more than He gives us the ability to handle. So He will close doors if needed.
Another one that we often laugh at (as we relate all too well) is that he would rather say a few cuss words now and then by being stretched with a challenging life than live safely and never allow his character to be tested as he lives all-out for God. (He said it much better than that, of course.)
And, my husband's favorite, "I am no good at selling myself, but I can sell orphans. Wait, I didn't mean that the way it sounded."
I can't help but think how wrong it is that the family of such an outspoken advocate for widows and orphans now has lost their own husband and father. But I saw on their blog that they were recently able to go on vacation together as a family. My heart is comforted with the evidence that God was not surprised by this, as He gave them sweet times together just in the past few weeks. I am praying that He will use Derek's passing to WREAK HAVOC on Satan and all his diabolical plans.
Please keep this precious family in your prayers.
Derek's visit to our church that night was life changing for us as well. But I had forgotten what he said about cussing. :) That encourages my heart.
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought of you, Christal. There were several of us ... in fact, our church has never been the same. In a good way.
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