On Tuesday, May 29, 2018, Gibson Davis McCracken, known by most as “Gibby,” went to be with the Lord. Gibby was born on February 25, 2018, and was three months old.

Gibby was a pure delight, never failed to smile when you rolled an “R,” and was loved constantly by his parents Sam and Julia McCracken of Casper. His doting brothers, Wade and Moses, and sister, Susan, will miss him greatly.

Gibby has myriad grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives; many of whom were delighted to meet and hold him.

The great hope of the family is in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the anticipation of being with Gibby again in glory, where “God will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.”

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be sent to the Casper Reformed Presbyterian Church: 2968 Pheasant Dr., Casper, WY 82604.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 2nd, at Grace Reformed Church: 804 S. Wolcott St., Casper, WY 82601.

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Memory of God’s Care for Gibson Davis McCracken

June 2, 2018

Psalm 1391-10,13-16:

O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me... For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

The Lord graciously and lovingly cared for Gibson Davis McCracken just as he cares for all of his people; He formed him, He knew him, He saw him, He loved him, He wrote these short three months in His book, and, according to His good plan, He called him home. Although Gibson lived a short life, it was filled with evidence of God’s loving care and grace.

The Lord gave Gibson to Sam and Julia on February 25, 2018. On that day, he met his affectionate big brothers, Wade and Moses, and sweet big sister Susan. Shortly after his birth, both grandmothers came to meet him and care for him and the family, along with other visits from aunts, uncles, and cousins, and friends - being born into a family that was eager to receive him.

He had the blessing of being born into a covenant family, and so received the sign of the covenant — and what a special day that was. On April 22, Gibson was baptized by his Uncle HP here in Casper, which happened to be the very same day that his cousin, Malachi was baptized in Pennsylvania. Uncle HP preached on Luke 18:16, “Let the little children come to me,” showing how Gibson was included in this covenant family, the family of God. Along with all the benefits of being His.

It seems that the Lord gave to Gibson his dad’s adventurous spirit. He loved to be held facing out so that he could see the world, and apparently was a born traveler. Not long after he entered this world, he was able to visit the hometowns of both of his parents to meet more of his extended family.

He began his adventures in May when he accompanied his mom on a special trip to State College, PA, for his cousin Wyatt’s baptism. This adventure was especially sweet as he got to have his mom all to himself for three days and he evidently loved every minute. His grandmother particularly remembers his pudgy face, bright eyes, and big smile when Julia pushed him out of the terminal just before midnight. In addition to meeting many dear family members, Gibson had the chance to meet one of his namesakes, Uncle Davis, and two of his great grandparents, an opportunity that not many kids have. Before Sam, Julia, and Gib left State College, they had a few wonderful days visiting family, eating ice cream, and napping in the stroller with Wyatt.

Gibson got to travel to Beaver Falls, PA to see his dad’s hometown and to meet more of his ever expanding family. After a brief visit there, they drove south to Maryland to watch his Uncle Gibson (his other namesake) be married to Aunt Grace. After that great celebration, Gibson enjoyed a family roadtrip crossing half of the continent to return home to Casper.

Rather remarkably, in the short three months of his life, Gibson had the opportunity to visit numerous states, meet, smile at, and be held by over 50 of his closest family members, and be a part of a few significant family events.

On May 28, the day before the Lord brought him home, the Lord gave Gib a truly delightful day with his family and the Dillon family in Casper. The sky was beautiful and the hills were covered in bright green grass creating the perfect opportunity for a family photo shoot, which worked out particularly well as Gib’s family all wore matching clothes for Memorial Day. One picture stood out especially, a picture of the whole family standing with God’s vast creation behind them, with this sweet little boy smiling in Julia’s arms.

The next morning, May 29, 2018, the Lord called Gibson home, to be received into the loving arms of our gracious and glorious Savior. The Lord left Sam, Julia, Wade, Moses, and Susan with three wonderful gifts: A picture of the last day of Gibson’s life, three months of precious memories, and a testimony of God’s gracious care for a covenant child.

The past three months were a gift from God, allowing us the privilege to care for and love him for this brief time. While we don’t always understand God’s ways, and plans and purposes, we do possess His many great promises and are assured of His unfailing love towards us. All these promises and assurances are guaranteed to us because 2000 years ago God graciously gave up His own Son for us, to experience the agony, to bear our sorrows, burdens, and sins on the cross and then on the Third day to rise again in glory. And so in the death of His beloved Son, we have hope in the death of this beloved son. To those of us who rest in this Lord, we don’t say goodbye, we say see you later, for this will not end in death.