Hope in grief, light in darkness
Photo by Billy Robinson
By Jessica Brodie
Sometimes the hardest things we go through can also be the most beautiful, uplifting, and encouraging, for they remind us of all that is truly important in this life: loving God and loving others.
Back in December, I wrote an article for the Christian newspaper I run about a beautiful young family in my state who is carrying on their toddler’s memory by providing butterfly carts for other grieving parents. Called “Saylor Strong,” the article talked about how Stephanie Robinson, her husband, William, and their older daughter, Lakelyn, were blessed in the dark hours of their grief, both by the chance to help others in their sweet Saylor’s memory, but by the knowledge that Saylor is with Jesus and one day they will be, too. (You can read the article, here.) Saylor passed away at age 16 months from complications because of congenital nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disorder.
One thing that especially touched me about the Robinson family’s actions in their grief is their ironclad knowledge that Saylor isn’t gone, but she lives on in heaven—and they will be with her again because of the eternal life promised to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
I have never lost a child, and the very thought makes me shudder. But I have lost people I deeply love, including my dad, my second-mom aunt, and my grandma. I know grief is a very personal experience, and we all deal with it in different ways, sometimes healthy and other times not-so-healthy. Sometimes that grief washes us out to sea in its flood, never to return. Other times it leads us to the Rock we can cling to when everything else is gone: Jesus.
That’s what the Robinson family exemplifies: in quite-possibly the most difficult thing anyone can experience, they clung to faith and experienced transformation.
Saylor’s grandfather, Billy Robinson, is also a man of deep faith, and he shared with me his eulogy for Saylor, which he gave at her funeral in August. Also titled “Saylor Strong,” the eulogy follows. I hope you find it as uplifting as I do:
Saylor Strong, by Billy Robinson
Saylor, our beautiful, heaven-sent blessing. From birth you knew love from your parents, family, and loved ones, but within you knew suffering, pain, extreme struggle, and literally constantly fought every day for your life.
This seemingly perfect child with all the features of a beautiful bright sunflower and a soft gentle rose. Such young life should know peace, love, comfort, and joy, not intense pain and suffering.
“Unfair!” we cried. “How can our loving God allow such an innocent baby to suffer so?” After all, Jesus said, “Come unto me and I will give you rest,” and “Let the little children come unto me.” So we asked: Why? This can’t be right. It’s got to be a mistake. Where was God’s love when she needed it? Why did she suffer so?
After the disbelief, anger, frustration, and heart-wrenching pain came a sense of normalcy—a “new normal.” It’s not the path we would have chosen, but it’s where we were at. We started to focus on what really matters and cherished every precious moment with Saylor and other loved ones. We noticed their intimate features. Each gesture, smile, and laugh we cherished and took to heart.
In Saylor’s crystal blue eyes, we saw such awesome strength, love, care, excitement, joy, and life that can only come from God. Surely even here on earth, Jesus Himself took her into His mighty loving arms so full of grace and mercy and carried her through the valleys to be “Saylor Strong.”
Strong not just in physical strength, but where it matters most—spiritually strong. A mighty warrior and extreme fighter she was. Everyone who came to know her are now tougher, more resilient, wise, caring, and loving due to Jesus’s love bestowed in our beautiful, wonderful, and precious Saylor.
“Saylor Strong!” we firmly shout. For through this blessed earthly child and God’s grace, we have all become united as one in a world so divided. We have learned to cherish each and every moment with family, friends, and even total strangers. We see God’s loving and caring grace in even the deepest and darkest valleys. We’ve learned to completely trust, lean on, and believe in God.
We have questioned, cried out in anger and despair. Got frustrated, felt pain in the deepest portions of our hearts, been confused, and felt misunderstood.
But the bottom line is and always will be the same—our God is a good God! After all, He had every opportunity to stop it, but stood by and watched His only son Jesus die a horrible death of extreme suffering and pain on a cross for our sins, that through repenting and asking Jesus into our lives as our Lord and Savior, we may forever, truly, and fully live as never before!
God, we so thank You and praise You for our precious Saylor. What a beautiful blessing and wonderful joy she was. We thank you for all the true beauty and strength You have shown and given us through her. We now clearly understand how precious life is and how distinct of an honor and privilege each and every moment is spent with each other, which time nor troubled waters can wash away.
Just as we saw a strong and wonderful light in Saylor’s eyes, we know You are the true light of life.
Thank You for being her source of bright light shining through the darkness for the whole world to see. Now, Saylor is in Your arms and by Your side, and through Your grace she is now The Ultimate Saylor Strong!”
Now, I ask each one of you if you have Saylor’s wild and free spirit of love, joy, and happiness embedded in your heart? If her fighting spirit motivated you? If through her you were in some way brought closer to God and have seen the world in a better light? If you truly thank our lord and savior, Jesus Christ, for her beautiful life?
Then I want you to stand and with applause and shouts of affirmation: “Thank God for her life and spirit!”
