This post is necessary for me in so many ways. It will be the last post for me for a little while, as I grieve the loss of an incredible ally and friend.
Dewayne Wood has walked with me for the past 2 years into the darkest and most difficult details of my story. He helped me to look into the deepest places of my sorrow and pointed me always to Jesus, in the midst of it all. It was under his discipleship, that I began to risk dipping my toes into the process of vulnerability. He walked with me into places of sorrow that I was terrified to enter into. And it is with the deepest sorrow now, that I step once again into the realness of my grief.
Dewayne passed away yesterday, June 10, due to complications from a seizure.
I will always be grateful for his courage in counselling. He never wavered from his commitment to Truth. He helped me to enter into my difficult journey out of Darkness and into Light with authenticity and grace. He was patient and gentle and enormously kind. I'm so thankful to have had the privilege of knowing him.
"Thank you, Dewayne, for bearing with me consistently in love. For always reminding me that Jesus is my defender. For never being grossed out by my sin. For hearing my worst and not turning away. Thank you for helping me see Christ in Abbey Gore. You were a beautiful picture of Him to a wounded and terrified young woman seeking help. I can say today, with a new found dignity, that I will miss you so much. I look forward, with much longing, to the day that I can have full understanding of the truths that you planted in my heart for me to draw from. I feel a deep, deep sadness that the Lord took you home, but it is without shame that my tears fall.
Continuing on the journey until we meet again,
Abbey
Readers~ Please join me in praying for Dewayne's wife Cheryl and their extended families and friends as they grieve his loss. If you feel led to minister to Cheryl through a donation to help with funeral expenses, please do so by going to www.daymarkcounseling.com and follow the instructions under Dewayne's memorial. It would be worth your sacrifice, I promise.
12 comments:
Oh, Abbey, I'm so sorry. I hate these circumstances yet somehow I'm rejoicing at all that God has given you through this man. You will be on my mind and heart in the coming weeks.
I'm with -c... I'll be thinking of you and those who surrounded such a person. This hits close, as I still have my peeps who don't turn away from my hidiousness.
God bless you and keep you, Abbey.
I'm so sorry. I'll call you sometime.
Oh, Abbey! I am so saddened by this, and so sorry that you are going through this. My heart goes out to his family. What a great testimony of God's greatness, power, compassion, and grace. I'm thankful that this man was a part of your life and was able to be Jesus' hands and feet to you.
Oh' Abbey I too am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to say goodbye to loved ones. I will be praying for you and his family.
No words Abbey except sorry for you and his family. He sounds like he was a wonderful man.
You painted a beautiful picture of him.
Praying
I am so sorry that you are having to go through such a great loss in your life right now, but have peace in knowing this life is not the end, you will meet again and in what much better circumstances! I love you and I grieve with you. What an amazing testimony of his work on earth you are!
Hi Abbey, this is Steph. Kenny and I just read your post about your recent loss, and we are so very sorry. We will pray for his family, and for you. Hey, we are here in the Smokies, and getting ready to come to you guys soon, but we wanted to ask you for a favor. Could you or Matt please call the girl who's staying at our house, Brittany, and give her your mailing address? She is going to be mailing something to your house for us. Be sure and check Matt's email (mattgore75@yahoo.com) for her Ph. #. Thanks so much, and again we are so sorry about your loss. We'll see you soon.
I'm so glad to have found others, bloggers, no less, who are blessed by Dewayne's life and ministry. I feel so alone on this journey, wondering how I will make it through the week without him. He was such a model of God's love and grace to us during such a dark time in our life. Thank you for posting this.
Abbey, I so terribly sorry for your loss and for his family!
Your post show tremendous growth and demonstrated the healing that has taken place in your life under his wise counsel.
I pray the Lord bestows upon you great grace and comfort as you walk this this valley. You are not alone. You are being carried by the Sheperd Himself. And when it's time, He'll set your feet firmly down and you will know the path to take because of Shepherd has been speaking directly in your ear. Rest upon Him, dear one.
Abbey, I just read your post today and I too am so sorry for your loss. I will certainly be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
You and the family continue to be in my prayers.
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