I've recently been reading a bit about Martin Luther and his wife Katie. I found out they lost two daughters - Elisabeth and Magdalena. Elisabeth died early in infancy and Magdalena died around the age of 14. Luther lovingly called Magdalena, "Lenchen", which means "light" (same meaning as Lucy). I've read in several places, that upon Lenchen's impending death, Luther said, "O God, I love her so, but thy will be done.” It's been written, "Luther reproached himself because God had blessed him . . . and yet he could not find it in his heart to give God thanks. Katie stood off, overcome by grief; and Luther held the child in his arms as she passed on. When she was laid away, he said, 'Du liebes Lenchen, you will rise and shine like the stars and the sun. How strange it is to know that she is at peace and all is well, and yet to be so sorrowful!'" - The Gospel Coalition
Magdalena died after a "long illness", and in a letter to one of his dear friends, Luther wrote the following, ". . . my Dear Daughter Magdalena has been reborn into Christ's eternal kingdom. I and my wife should joyfully give thanks for such a felicitous departure and blessed end by which Magdalena escaped the power of the flesh, the world . . . yet the force or our natural love is so great that we are unable to do this without crying and grieving in our hearts, or even without experiencing death ourselves. The features, the words and the movements of the living and dying daughter remain deeply engraved in our hearts. Even the death of Christ . . . is unable to take this all away as it should. You, therefore, give thanks to God in our stead. For indeed, God did a great work of grace when He glorified our flesh in this way. Magdalena had a mild and lovely disposition and was loved by all. . . God grant me and all my loved ones and all my friends such a death - or rather, such a life." (emphasis mine)
Oh, you guys! First of all, this is a side of Martin Luther that I had never seen before. Secondly, he so perfectly pens our feelings into words. It is extremely true in our lives, in our journey, that YOU have given thanks to God for Ellie Kate's life and ultimate healing when we haven't had the strength to. As Luther invited his friend to join in the mourning, celebration and remembrance of his precious girl, WE have invited YOU into our journey and you have faithfully been there.
Once again, we are asking you to join us in remembering and celebrating Ellie Kate's life with "In Honor of Ellie Kate - the Month of Reckless Love". This special event will take place the entire month of December, with different ways to participate, celebrate and honor EK while recklessly loving the world around you.
What do we mean by "Reckless Love"? What we mean is this (and it's very much a 'Mike and Ryan definition'):
- "Love" should be a verb, an action; it's not just a feeling, because our feelings pass and fail us.
- "Reckless" means to be unconcerned with the consequences of an action; to test the limits and not worry about what might happen, be it good or bad.
Reckless Love is taking intentional action in order to benefit the life of another
without worrying about the consequences.
It's stepping up and out and loving, even if it feels awkward,
even if it causes a stir in your household, community or place of work.
Ellie Kate taught US to love others with reckless abandon - to forget about the rules and the limits or how it "should" be done. Her life taught us to love who the world sees as unlovely. She taught us to give even when we didn't have enough. She taught us to serve even when it hurt, even when it was costly in time, energy, etc.
Ellie Kate to love in a reckless way - the very same way that Jesus loves each and every person on earth. Our sincere prayer is that your lifestyle will become one of Reckless Love, and that in some small way, our Ellie Kate opens you up to loving, giving and serving like you never thought possible.
We have a Facebook page dedicated to "A Month of Reckless Love", and my hope is that you will freely post ways you are loving and serving others with reckless abandon. Posting won't be a boastful thing; it will be an encouraging thing to Mike and I and to our entire family. Your posting will also encourage others, and I pray it will spark those who see it to move and do.
We encourage you to celebrate Ellie Kate by participating in the following ways:
1. Purchase items on our Amazon Reckless Love Wish List: All interactive toys, movies and books donated will be given to ill children at OU Children's Hospital on December 4th, Ellie's birthday (Ellie spent most of her birthdays, including her last earthly one, there at OU).
Parent Packets are a new thing we are adding this year that will also be delivered on the night of Ellie's birthday. These packets will be full of things that parents need during their stay, especially since many times their stays are unexpected. The packets will make them feel loved and will bring some comfort during an intense and emotionally taxing time. The Parent Packet will include Ellie Kate's story as well.
For more info on Parent Packets:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/719323738169061/?fref=ts
2. December 1-31st: Start loving those around you in reckless ways! Give to those in need, purposefully reaching out to those who are hurting, including those with special needs and families who have lost children. Share on our page how you have loved others in Honor of Ellie Kate (see the definitions and explanations above).
3. December 4th:
- For Ellie Kate's birthday, we ask that you love, serve, encourage, or give to a family with a special-needs child OR to a family who has a lost a child due to any circumstance. Bring a meal, bake a cake, send a balloon or flowers - anything uplifting to let the family know that they are loved and not forgotten.
- Share Ellie's story with someone you come in contact with. Post and let us know about your encounter.
- Share your favorite Ellie Kate memory or story on our FB page
Sissy's 7th Birthday at OU
4. December 23rd: Ellie's Heaven Day! Post pictures of you and your family releasing balloons in Ellie Kate's honor. Send messages with your balloons and be creative! This is a way to show our family that you remember our Sweet Girl.
As Ellie Kate's Mommy, I could never put into words just how very much your participation in this celebration truly means. Thank you in advance for once again remembering and recklessly loving in honor of Elizabeth Kathleen McLaughlin.
Ryan
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