BJ's Words at Grant's Service

Thank you all for coming and sharing with us and supporting us. First, I want to take a moment to admire my wife. In the last few days, I have been amazed at the strength – emotional, spiritual, and physical – that she has shown. Katie, you are an amazing mother and wife. Your love cannot be exhausted and has no limits. I saw that this week with all three of our boys, Pierce, Blaine and Grant. I am so grateful for you and I cherish you.

Over the last few days I’ve looked back at some pictures. Some of these were of our vacation to the Carolinas in May. It was on this trip that we found out that we were pregnant with Grant. I remember the moment Katie told me. We had just left our friends’ house embarking on a four hour drive to Myrtle Beach. Katie asked me to pull over because she had something to tell me. So, I slowed the light blue Dodge Journey to the side of the road as my heart raced. I knew what she was going to tell me. She was pregnant. My heart leapt. I didn’t care if it was another son to be a “buddy” to Pierce and Blaine, or a girl to be their little sister for them to protect. Our family was growing and I was picturing our story unfolding before us.

In the months that followed, we considered a bigger car, new car seats, strollers, bedding, you name it. We also began discussing names. We talked boy and girl names. Girl names were actually easier but then we found out he was a boy. We discussed many names before choosing Grant, which means great. It’s such a large name for such a small baby. But as we’ve experienced this week and the grief and sadness, we have felt so much love. That love has come from the body of Christ. It has been through this body that our little Grant has shown us true greatness, the love of Christ.

I am sad. I miss him and I always will. Our story is not what I had envisioned. I saw three sons growing up together, playing sports, driving the boat, wrestling with me. Our story is forever changed. It would be easy for me to give up on our story and there have been some moments that I’ve wanted to.

But the last few nights before I go to sleep, I’ve read Psalm 143. Verse 8 is my favorite.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life

I entrust our family’s story to Jesus and his unfailing love. He will show us the way to go.

Grant, you are my Son, whom I love and am well pleased.