the hardgrave family

There’s a great old Hymn by William Cowper (1731-1800) that containes the following stanza:

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

The last month has been a pretty tough one in our home. Besides all of the sickness that has been going around the house, We are most saddened to have to report that Angela’s brother, Michael Belcher, passed away on Monday, March 13th, only weeks after haveing been diagnosed with lung cancer. (Michael and his oldest son, Jesse, are pictured above)

There’s so much to say about Michael and how much he will be missed that to adequately begin would require so much more than a webblog could accomadate. Frankly, it just wouldn’t do it justice to attempt to do so here, so please forgive our intentional brievity. Suffice it to say that he is “remembered” by hundreds and maybe thousands of living memorials, those being the family and friends that he loved so much.

These days have indeed been a “Frowning Providence” for us, but we have, in so many ways and by so many people, been warmly reminded that God does indeed “hide a smile” behind all of the things that we strugle to endure and even comprehend.

When placed against the backdrop of death and loss, the blessings of life and family come into sharp relief and focus. You hold your children just a little tighter and longer with each hug, linger longer in that phone conversation you thought you didn’t have time for and perhaps most importantly, you realize that eternity is not nearly as distant a reality as we tend to lull ourselves into thinking that it is.

To all of you who have encouraged us, prayed for Angela and her family, called us, brought us dinner, helped us with the girls and done so many other things, we thank you so much. God’s mercy to us has come through you.

Well, on a lighter, but related note, during all of this, Kathrn turned three years old. Her party was scheduled after to be the Saturday after Michael’s funeral. If not for the fact that we had to cancel Kathryn’s last Birthday party (stomach virus) we would have cancelled this one. However, even though Angela couldn’t make it, we went ahead and held it just as planned (Thanks so much Mom, Emily, Elaine and Nick for helping out!) and Kathryn had a blast. I’ve included some picture’s below. Hope you enjoy . . .