Precious Little Peyton

As the rain falls outside ~ gently but loud enough to hear, I pray that the sound will wash over my soul and so many others hurting tonight over the loss of precious little Peyton Elizabeth Townsend.

Peyton's mom is a nurse at my office.  Peyton was a "regular" at the office, and we all loved the little blonde girl with the cute nose, bright blue eyes, and sweet smile.  She loved to color...and color...and color.  A lot of us spent the morning with her the Saturday before last at a big yard sale.  Little did we know that the next Saturday she would be in Heaven.  So fast.  So quick.  So unbelievable.  Ask anyone who was told that Peyton was in an accident and did not make it.  The first response was, "What?"  Because our brains and our hearts could not comprehend ~ would not comprehend ~ such an awful thing.  It has been a tough few days.  We know how our hearts have broken, so we can only imagine a tiny bit of what this is for Peyton's mom and dad and sister and other family.

At her funeral tonight, there were so many great things said.  They were honest, hurting speakers who still offered the hope that only comes in knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior.  Peyton had asked Jesus into her heart.  She had spent all week at Bible schools.  She died in an accident at Bible school.  One pastor said that Peyton taught us to 1) Love life 2) Love family and, most importantly, 3) Love Jesus.  So many things were said, but so many things for us to think about no matter where we are ~ an almost believer, a new believer, or an old believer.  So many things to ponder.  The tragedies of life.  What we don't understand.  What matters and what does not.  The pastor also told us to focus on what we do know.  We do know Peyton is in Heaven.  And we do know that with Christ there is hope.  The second pastor echoed a lot and offered a lot of great points.  He was missing one of his little buddies.  It was tough.  His message was "It is Well with Peyton."  He referred to why it is well.  He also said we don't have to like it, but we know Peyton is fine in Heaven.  So we direct our prayers to her family who misses her so desperately.

The music was from the heart and beautiful.  The song "He Loves Us" (David Crowder Band - not sure of the name) was so good, but we knew it was so tough for the main guy singing it.  He kept on going and did not miss a beat.  I believe he opened his mouth and let God bring forth the words.  At one point, I am sure that is what we saw. 

In her four and one half years, Peyton touched literally tons of lives.  Please pray for her family as they miss her and must forge ahead in this temporary life until they go home.  Knowing this is not our home will comfort them at some point, but I am sure all they know right now is wanting their little princess back.

Please pray for this family as they go through this dark dark valley.