Children Are A Heritage From The Lord
What does the word refuge mean to you? We may agree that a refuge is a place where we are comforted and protected from harm. It is natural to look for comfort in things or places, but in Psalm 62, we read that God is our refuge. The Psalmist David reminds us to pour out our hearts to God. We can turn to Him with everything that happens in our lives.
I know two incredible young adults who share this kind of faith with each other, their children, and all those around them. I first met Julie Verkamp in 2008, when she was the youth minister for the parishes of the Vincennes Catholic Community. We worked together with the Teens Encounter Christ Movement in the Diocese of Evansville, with retreats at St. Mary Parish in Ireland, Ind. Julie married Alan Lagree in August 2009. They continued using their gifts for the Church as a married couple, and they eventually started their beautiful family with Isaac and Tess Elizabeth.
Things can change in a heartbeat, and before you know it life changes forever. I received an urgent prayer request from Father Jason Gries, the Diocesan Chaplain for the TEC Movement, for 19-month-old Tess Elizabeth Lagree, who had been taken to an Indianapolis hospital with a very aggressive e-coli bacterial infection. She was going into surgery, and there was concern that her organs could shut down.
The outpouring of prayer in response to Father Jason was incredible. The bacterial infection was too much for little Tess, however, and the day after surgery (Sunday, June 28), she went to heaven to be with Jesus. It ultimately was discovered that an undiagnosed blood disorder contributed to her complications. Julie wrote the following words; they express beautifully a situation that no parent could ever imagine:
“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for their support and prayers. We are so happy for our baby girl! All the prayers have been answered. Everything happened so fast and in such a way that she didn’t have to suffer long, and no one can blame themselves. She has comforted us all day with little things. She is here with us and will never have to hurt, or stay home, or be away from her Isey (Isaac), ever again. We are going to miss her so much, but she’s here with us wherever we go. Just spread her love and joy to the world. She had more joy than I ever imagined a body could hold. Now her joy is no longer limited. We were so blessed to have been able to have her with us on earth for the past 19 months. Now we have our own personal saint fighting for us in heaven. Spread her smile to the world, and show her that you are happy for her too! We have the greatest gift possible: a saint, and a huge community of amazing family and friends!”
Life is unpredictable, but God is always the same. 1 Cor 2:9-12 tells us, “It is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” Pray for the Lagree family and all parents who have suffered the loss of a child. All things are possible with God; but when you surround yourself with people of faith, it is that much easier. Amen!
