A Message to Savannah

I Just wanted to take a moment to tell you that we miss you. We don't feel like our family is complete without you. I have always said that God put together the perfect family when He put us all together. I have always said that if you took any one of us out of the equation, it just wouldn't be the same. Well, I was right. Now that you have taken yourself out of this equation, it just isn't right. We have all had a very heavy heart for the last few weeks since you have been gone. We know that you are with Grandma, and that she loves you very much and will take great care of you, but we still wish that you were back in our home and a part of our family. Now I know that I'm not aperfect dad, nor is mom a perfect mom, but we have truly tried to be the parents that God wants us to be, and train you up in the way that we should go. I know that we haven't done that perfectly, but we've tried. It is so hard to raise kids in a world that is so dangerous and sinful. It is so hard to protect you from harm and danger, and yet allow you to have the freedom that you desire. It is so hard to know how to correctly discipline you when you've done wrong. The only reason we discipline at all is because we love you. Did we do everything right? Probably not. Did we do everything wrong? Probably not. Do we ONLY do what we believe to be in YOUR best interest and to the glory of God? Yes! So I ask for your forgiveness for the mistakes that I have made. I know that I have made some, and I am sorry. I also forgive you for the mistakes that you have made. We all blow it, but I'm SO thankful that God is so patient,and quick to forgive us. I've shared 1 John 1:9 with you that says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Anyway, I just want you to know that we love you and miss you very much. We have all tried not to think about all of this too much, so that we don't stay sad, but we can't just forget you. You have been a part of our family for so long, and to have you gone now hurts us. The other day, Caleb just started crying out of nowhere. When I asked what was wrong, he told me that he missed Savannah. "We all do", I told him and then held him as he cried in my arms. Everyone at the church misses you, and prays often for you. I have seen people in our church break down in tears as they pray for you. You are deeply loved. Please know that you have an open invitation to come home. Please think of more than just yourself; think about the pain that others are feeling because you are gone. You are 15 years old. You only have 3 more years until you are an adult and can go out on your own, have all the freedom you want, and live the life that you want to live. It's not that far away. Come home and then leave the right way, at the right time. Not like this. I don't send this out there to confuse you, and put you in a place where you have to make a tough decision. I put this out there so that if the right decision isn't a tough one, and all you needed was this, then you can make the right decision and do what you need to do. Whatever you decide, please know that we love you. We always will, and we will miss you until the day you come home! We are praying that it will happen soon. Until then, we pray that you will remember God. Love Him. Talk to Him. Live for Him. He loves you perfectly, like I can't. He never makes mistakes like I do. He will always be there for you, like I can't. Even if you take your eyes off of this family, don't take your eyes off of God.