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On August 16, 2008, my youngest daughter, Ericka Grace McWilliams, left this world and went to be with Jesus.
She drowned in the family swimming pool.
I had peace that she was with our Lord Jesus. The year that followed was tough. I knew I had to pick up and go on for my other two daughters and my husband. The pain was so great. However, the Lord put that little something in my mind that made me not want to be depressed for the rest of my life. I started searching for answers. I wanted my life to be good again and happiness for my family.
I’ve been in Church all my life and had watched my parents lose their son to a long term illness. I knew that their healing and peace came from God. I began to sincerely seek God and His word. I wanted to find that something that would “fix” me and how I felt. I wondered if my family would ever experience joy again. Would my girls be able to have a normal life? I was searching the Bible, listening Church messages and attending Bible studies. I discovered that my life really wasn’t surrendered to God’s will. I repented and ask the Lord to take over my life. It’s been over 6 years, since the day that turned my world turned upside down. Since then, my family is experiencing joy again. The Lord’s healing in my life and my family’s life, has been tremendous. It doesn’t all end there though. Grieving has been an ongoing process. Just like daily exercise is to the physical body, I have to remind myself daily of what the Bible (the owner’s manual to life), says.
It’s because of God’s word, that I can know I’m forgiven and let go of the guilt from the accident on August 16, 2008 (1 John 1:9). It’s because of God’s word, that I know I have a Comforter on the days when my tears flow (John 14:16) (Matt 5:4). It’s because of God’s word, that I know what my thoughts and my outlook on life should be (Phil 4:8). It’s because of God’s word, that I can survive and overcome life’s challenges (Phil 4:13).
If you’ve suffered the loss of a close loved one, please feel welcome to come to the seminary, “A Season of Grief”. God has given us such wonderful tools to help us cope. There is the Bible, prayer and the comfort of others who are going through the same thing.