Everyone knew except her. Tell tale signs that tears had trickled there. (more…)
Bob JonesAugust 21, 2023
Rick and Kay Warren were devastated when their 27-year old son Matthew committed suicide in April 2013. Their grief was unimaginable. Matthew had suffered from depression all of his life. In September 2013 the Warrens gave their first public interview with CNN. Piers Morgan called it “one of the most moving interviews I conducted in my life.” (more…)
Bob JonesMarch 1, 2020
At the halfway marker of a 10km fundraiser, a volunteer observed the pair of running shoes hanging around my neck and made an astute guess. “You must be running for someone today.” (more…)
Bob JonesFebruary 24, 2020
Their deaths gutted our world. Each one passed away as a result of cancer and died in our arms. The associated grief was surprisingly intense. It was so intense that I was embarrassed I could feel so deeply about pets - Tammy... Sprite... Silver. They were Goldens and like family. (more…)
Bob JonesAugust 1, 2019
The “first” first, was a hockey game in September 2014 and it wasn’t by any means welcomed. My daughter Shyla wore her dad’s jersey for warm up and I didn’t make it through the second period. The inaugural normal was even before the funeral and was followed by many unsought more. Recitals, hockey games, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and even a high school graduation all came and went without him. Alisha writes with a gentle vulnerability. If you allow her to, she'll bring you along on a journey through the hardest time of her life. She helps me be a better pastor. I see life and faith through her eyes. Alisha became a single mom on September 18/2014 very suddenly. With…
Bob JonesApril 6, 2016
Finding courage, strength and beauty in the midst of challenges is a life long journey of discovery. Hannah Kaup experienced surprising ways in which God brought these qualities into her life at just the right time and she is generously sharing those discoveries. This is a guest post from Hannah – a stay at home mom, wife to Matthew, mama to Annaliese and Abigail - and founder of Honey and Betts! As a young mom, wife and believer I have to be fearless in my faith and I try to spread the truth to many broken people. I've discovered that my timing and God's timing are not the same, and it is my journey of my acceptance of that that I…
Bob JonesJanuary 8, 2016
On September 18, 2014, with only 57 minutes notice, my family as I knew it, died. Within an hour of CPR that failed, my four children lost their father, his parents lost their son, and I lost the relationship I was supposed to grow old in. The grief was so thick I couldn’t see through it. In the days that followed, I began to realize how much was missing and would be affected going forward. It wouldn’t be just George who would be grieved, there was so much more. It was all the relationships built along the way. Lost Relationships Each of the children had a unique relationship that was lost. Shyla no longer had Dad in the stands watching…
Bob JonesJune 10, 2015
9/16/13 Photographer: Adam Rose When Matthew Warren died by suicide, Easter 2013, his parents' hearts were shattered. He was only 27 years old. Rick and Kay Warren were known for a ministry of hope. How would they survive his tragic death? Where was hope now? The Warrens share some remarkable insights they learned and lived. 16 Insights 1. "I’d rather have all my questions unanswered and walk with God than not walk with God and have all my questions answered.” – Rick 2. “I’m terrible but I’m OK. In other words, we’re going to survive and someday we’ll thrive again. It’s the worst thing that could ever happen.” – Kay 3. “I’ve cried every single day since Matthew died, but…
Bob JonesOctober 3, 2013