Aaron Joseph Hargrave: A Tribute

Aaron Joseph Hargrave
September 9, 1992 — March 26, 2015

Sometimes you don’t notice the glue that is holding a thing together until something or someone is missing.

When I think about you, Aaron, no single moment sticks out; It’s more like a flood of memories:

–answering questions about the Bible school you looked forward to attending and being so proud to hear about your success there

–conspiring together to convince our moms that our Scrabble prowess was real and that the ridiculous definitions we had made up were, in fact, authentic

–laughing until I couldn’t breath over your antics with Chris (Electronic muscle stimulating pads, innapropriate personal displays of affection … there really are no words for the relationship between the two of you)

–the hugs and questions about Olivia that always made me feel so welcome when we’d come for a visit

Alone, none of these things come close to describing the place that you hold in my heart and in our family. But when everything plays through my mind like a movie trailer, I can see that you are like glue that bonds us.

Laughter, faith, and unconditional acceptance–these are all things that hold our family together. You have brought them in heaping bucketfuls.

Even now, when you are the someone who is missing and there is a gaping hole where you should be, you’re still helping to bring us together by pointing to the only One with the strength to hold on at a time like this.

I read your Facebook wall because I wanted to remember you in your own voice, and I found these words from Psalms 73:26:

 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

I love you.
I will miss you so much.
Because of Jesus, I will see you again.

Father,

Aaron believed in Your Son and staked his life and eternity on the sacrifice Jesus made. I praise You that he is forever free in heaven with You, safe in the arms of One who for love gave everything. I am so thankful that this same love surrounds every person dear to Aaron’s heart and mine. Anchor our family in the truth that nothing, even death, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Please be with my sweet Aunt Becky and Uncle Duane; I pray that they are comforted and upheld by Your Spirit, ministered to with the same compassion and grace that they have poured out on others so many times before. Be with Rickie and Sarah, Shaunna, Bailee, Renee, and every other heart that is hurting. I know you hold each of them in your hands. Thank you for the legacy of Aaron’s life. May we follow his example in loving well, and when it’s time, may we follow him into Your arms.

In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen