SACRIFICE. Isn’t that what Lent is all about? Not the sacrifice of cheap habits, vices or sins, but the glacial giving of one’s very earthly existence for the saving of others; ‘saving’ on a scale of life’s ills to life’s death.
My dear sister, Stephanie, sent this observation from her 4 year old daughter, Anna. Anna, a youngster, articulated this deep theology through the words of a simple, pre-school song:
“There’s a song Anna learned from preschool. It goes “Why did God send Jesus to die? L-O-V-E, love that’s why!” But Anna has been singing it like this: “Why did God send Kenzie to die? L-O-V-E, love that’s why!” (I’m not sure why she changed it; maybe because she associates dying with Kenzie; who knows!)
Anyway, I thought it was an interesting way to look at it…God allowed this to happen because of His love. He knows the plans for us and His plans are motivated out of “L-O-V-E, love that’s why!” As I think about this, it’s hard to understand with my puny human brain – all I want to do is shake an accusing finger at Him for all of the hurt. God’s “L-O-V-E, love that’s why” is different than our human love (thank goodness!). God’s love is a selfless love, a love that was passionately committed to the well-being of the other. The only way to fathom this “L-O-V-E, love that’s why” is by looking at the cross of Christ – God being passionately committed to us. There are so many moments that I simply want to understand why Makenzie’s unexpected death had to happen. But what I learned through my daughter’s lyrical liberty on her preschool song has given me a momentary lift from the sorrow in my heart. God’s plans for us are motivated out of His “L-O-V-E, love that’s why.” Enough said.”
Indeed.
Peace,
todd
Life Changing Links …
- Tribute Video played at Makenzie’s Celebration Service.
- Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
- “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
- “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
- “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)
Todd Stocker 
Todd & Kellie,
I ran into Angela yesterday and she asked me if I had heard what happened. I had not. My heart fell to the floor as she told me what happened to sweet Makenzie. I am very sorry to hear about the lose of such a beautiful young lady. Before I saw Angela yesterday, Makenzie was in my thoughts as I was cleaning my couch. Crazy I know! But I remembered one day when she was hanging out here and we were sitting on the couch talking. She had been sitting in the spot I was cleaning. Not sure why she popped in my head but she did. Then I started to remember the day she and I were sitting outside the office you had just started renting and she was going through my CD’s and ran across old CD’s of Eminem. She asked me why I had those. I told her I haven’t listened to those in years. She simply said “then throw them away”! I laughed! I did throw them away. Then I remember the plant that we found outside that office that was for some reason laying on its side. She picked it up and asked me to take it home and plant it. To this day I watch that ugly plant grow in the backyard. So many times I have wanted to rip it up and throw it away! Now I will look at that plant in a whole new light. I just wanted you and Kellie to know how special your family always was to me and how amazing Makenzie was. Love you guys!