Remembering Ava

How do you say good-bye to a child?I just watched the memorial service for 5-year-old Ava Hunter, daughter of Josh and Lisa, granddaughter of Joel and Becky.   I am deeply touched by the emotion, the tears, the faith, the pain, the humor, the hope that were expressed in this celebration of little Ava.A few thoughts from the family:Josh Hunter: “ Nothing but time.”  Josh shared poignant words about the time they had, about desiring more time.  And now she lives beyond time.Lisa Hunter:   We will have to learn to journey through this life without her.  She loved to dance and run, and I can picture her dancing and running and leaping—with Jesus.Isaac Hunter:  Blessed are those who mourn—we mourn because we were blessed to know Ava.  We were blessed by her kindness and her love and her faith.  We were blessed by her courage—she had moxie.  Even when the cancer bully was invisible and seemingly invincible within her, she stood right up to it.Blessed are those who mourn, because they shall be comforted.  Comfort comes in Christ Himself, and in the assurance that one day God will set the world—in us and around us—to right.  Then there will be no more mourning.Joel Hunter:  Ava’s life changed people.  Her death reminds us to treasure each moment with children, family and friends.  God is not here to grant us whatever we want, but to grant us intimacy when we don't get what we want.  We must be able to say with Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”Five years of joyful memories.  A beautiful good-bye.  Time and longing in the days ahead.  And sure hope of Ava’s freedom now and a glorious reunion with her and our Lord who comforts and redeems us.You can watch Ava's memorial service online athttp://www.northlandchurch.net/ava/