Remembering River Smith.
Yesterday marked five years since the tragic passing of River Smith, who was the three-year-old son of former country artist Granger Smith. River drowned at their family home in their backyard pool in Texas in June of 2019.
Granger officially stepped away from country music last year to pursue ministry full-time, and has spoken very openly about what he and his family have been through in navigating what is the reality of the worst thing that could ever happen to any parent with the loss of a child.
And in the five years since that horrific day, Granger’s wife Amber shared that their family has a completely new perspective and “through our suffering, we got the miracle of Jesus and His saving grace.”
She shared a lengthy post on Instagram detailing where she was on June 4th, 2019 both mentally and physically, saying she didn’t think she would ever “have joy” again after it felt like “my heart was ripped out of my chest.”
Now, Amber says she is a “new, transformed woman” who has her eyes “fixed on eternity and not this world.”
It’s an incredible outlook to have and I’m sure encouraged many people, who have sadly been in this situation or not, and well-worth your time to take a minute and read:
“5 years. 5 years ago was the last time we saw our little wild red-head boy vibrant, and alive on this earth. 5 years ago we played and danced for the last time not knowing it was the last. 5 years ago I stared death in the face.
5 years ago it felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest when we lost him and I kissed his little cheeks for the last time. 5 years ago I didn’t think I would ever have joy again.
——
5 years later I am a new woman. A woman transformed. 5 years later my eyes are open to the Truth and the vapor of a life we have. 5 years later my eyes are fixed on eternity and not this world. 5 years later Jesus has restored my joy in Him.
So much can happen in 5 years. Don’t lose heart. Don’t lose hope. When all you want to do is run away, run to the Healer. Again and again. 5 years without you little one, but 5 years closer to eternity.
We didn’t get the miracle of healing this side of heaven, but through our suffering, we got the miracle of Jesus and His saving grace. That’s the greatest miracle of all.”
Amber also shared a few photos of her and River in the post, and they are absolutely precious:
As a couple and individually, they talk regularly about River and what they’ve been through on this faith journey, and you can watch their feature on I Am Second here where they detail their inspiring journey.
