Luke William Pritchett

I thought it might be a good idea to put together a little on line memorial for the little guy. I would really like it if all the friends and family would contribute to this project and that it would change and develop with time. I need pictures of Luke, or if you have thoughts or special memories you would like to share with the group, I would love to post those as well. Also since I do not have email addresses to all those who would care to see this site, I'm relying on all of you to pass the link to this page on to family and friends. Also if I get anything wrong please correct me.So Send me an E-mail - Kenny P

In the Company of Angels

Like God's firstborn Son, the DNA which directed how his body would grow was unique
in all the universe—made so by God's own handiwork for His purpose…for His glory…

The Scriptures say that he was “knit together,” woven fiber by fiber
in his mother's womb…“fearfully and wonderfully made”…
in the awesome image of God. David confirmed that all the days ordained for him
were written in God's book of life “before even one of them came to be.”

Like Joseph and Mary, his father and mother were forced to travel a great distance
to reach his birthplace…a place crowded with strangers drawn together unexpectedly
so God's plan could be fulfilled.

The shelter they found provided for their necessities, but it was certainly not where they would have chosen to bring their son into the world. He was laid in a hastily prepared bed, while they pondered what to do next. It seemed like a very discouraging start
for a firstborn son that would change our lives forever.

As I stood beside his bed in the intensive care unit, I heard them speak in trembling voices and saw their uncomprehending looks…disheartened by his condition.

Yet I felt strangely peaceful as I drew near to him…. I knew somehow that I was in the company of angels…and they were praising God for this miraculous birth…this remarkable baby boy…like they had two thousand years before, when Jesus was born.

Without a doubt, the Holy Spirit was calling me to see Jesus
through my tiny grandson, Luke…confronting my fears with
“be still, and know that I am God”… replacing my overwhelming sadness with His joy…
my desperate questions of “why?” and “what next?” with His gentle, but compelling answer, “he belongs to Me and I have plans for him you cannot understand.”

Luke was, in every way “the least of these” whom Jesus said we were to feed , clothe, and care for. I saw Jesus in our precious Luke…who could not cry out when he was in pain
or smile when he was happy…who could not get comfort from his mother's breast
because he could not suckle or swallow…whose every breath was a struggle
through the tube in his throat…every feeding an ordeal through the port into his stomach… and every heartbeat monitored to remind us of his tenuous hold on life.

In the days that followed, we learned much from his silent suffering and tender spirit. By caring for him, we drew closer to each other and the Holy Spirit that was ever-present around him. We learned to love without expectation…to care for each other in ways we never understood before. We set aside our petty concerns and thought only of him, as tears formed in the corners of his eyes, his chin quivered, and his body trembled.

Luke taught us to be thankful for unlabored breath, the taste of food…and countless other gifts of God we daily take for granted.

In his 153 days of ministry, the Holy Spirit through tiny, vulnerable Luke
confronted us with Jesus' recurring messages, to love and trust the God who made us…
and to embrace and love each other just as we are.

I will never forget the peace that came upon me when he rested in my arms. The tears subsided, the tension left his body left…and I spoke my heart to his deaf ears
through his guardian angel.

I will never forget what we became as we learned to love and serve him and each other.

Thank you Jesus, for Luke's precious and powerful life.

Read by Lee Lanphier at Luke's Memorial

Tim,

I just got word about Bill and Jessica's baby boy.  Please know that your family is in our prayers.  Pastor Dale's announcement about it was read to me over the phone and I was very moved to hear the words of Bill and Jessica.  In a moment, which I can only imagine to be agony, they gave glory and praise to God.  That kind of maturity and transparency is rare.  God's grace shining through them speaks to all of us in a deep way and I know that it will continue to bring glory to God for many years to come.  I know that your family has been through many trials over the years and I've seen a consistent and steadfast growth in it.  I'm grateful for your family.  I'm grateful for you.  God is being glorified in your life and those around you.  If there is anything that I can do please let me know. 

God bless, Dave Day

I thought it was very special when Jessica began to sing praise to God as she held little Luke in the hospital. - kenny p