Honoring Officer Shawn Silvera








JENNIFER’S MESSAGE OF HOPE
 
 To this day I am bewildered by the instant tragedy of losing my spouse, my best friend, and my life mate. My days ebb and flow with pain as I cling to God’s grace like never before. My redeeming message from God is that He will make good out of bad. This message has been emphasized to me repeatedly since Shawn’s untimely death.
 
 Only three days before he died, Shawn and I were spending time together at a coffee shop discussing the topic “BE HERE NOW”, which I had recently read about in a book titled “Captivating” by John and Stasi Eldredge. We discussed the fragility of life and the importance of living each day to the fullest. Shawn read the following passage to me: “Now we should live while the pulse of life is strong. Life is a tenuous thing…fragile, fleeting… Be here now. Be here now. Be here now.”
 
 I now wonder if this exchange between Shawn and I provided some sort of preparation for my spirit. Since Shawn’s death, the message to “BE HERE NOW” is at the forefront of my heart. It serves as a healing tool in how I grieve, how I daily interact with my children, and in my search to find God’s purpose and plan for my life.
 
 I feel brave. I hope this bravery is not in a boastful manner; but in a God-fearing, God-trusting kind of way. God is carving out a path for me. There are some days in this dark valley of grief that I feel overcome with sadness and defeat - afraid of failing. And yet, there are distinct moments where God speaks to my heart and arms me with His protection and guidance for a life I never imagined. I am trusting in the purpose God has created for me and my children because I know He is real and true and mighty. I want to be a part of that mighty plan. Even in the depths of pain, I know that I want to be where God is.
 
 I hope as you read my story you will find a message of hope for your own life journey. My desire is that you find the mighty plan God has designed for you and walk in it.
 
 I am amazed to find that I am not alone in my walk; loss will meet us all in this temporary life. BE HERE NOW!
 Nothing seems more important.
 
 Trustingly,
 
 Jennifer Silvera