When life-altering things happen, we can either choose to lean into God or push away from him. For Kelly Stuckey, a business owner from Fayetteville, Arkansas, she is pushing hard into her faith following a tragic accident.
For years Kelly and Zac Stuckey have put all of their efforts into their business and raising their son Everett who has Achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism. This past weekend, Kelly shared the tragic news to Instagram that Zac had died in a tragic motorcycle accident on his 41st birthday.
The accident happened on Friday morning when Zac collided with a box truck only a few blocks from his house. He passed away at the scene of the accident.
Kelly, who has since shared two more updates, has used her platform to continue to glorify God even in the most challenging moments of her life.
In a post to Instagram, Kelly shared that on her 37th birthday, she walked to the scene of the accident “carried by the Spirit,” which happened only a few blocks from their home.
“I stood there and asked God to give me a new vision,” she wrote. “Instead of seeing the place where Zac passed, he gave me eyes to see that is the place he rose to Heaven. I saw a huge beam of white light and Zac rising. I want you all to know and vision this.”
“EVERYTHING is different in light of the Gospel,” she added, quoting 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14.
Kelly thanked their community for loving and supporting her and Everett during these last few days since the accident.
“I keep praying that I will be able to consume all this goodness, kindness, and love because it will take years,” she wrote. “I have an inner circle of family and friends literally holding my arms up. They have circles of people supporting them, sending them meals, and caring for my Crown families. THE BODY OF CHRIST IS ALIVE AND POWERFUL!”
“Satan, you took a big blow, but you are being stomped on,” she added. “Jesus already defeated you in eternity, but damn you messed with the wrong family on earth.”
Kelly explained even amidst tragedy and heartbreak, she will not let the enemy destroy her and her family.
“My name means warrior and I’m gonna battle with praise. I usually have the birthday blues, have for years and don’t know why. This year I felt joy and peace because I know the hope of Heaven so much deeper and know the human I loved the most is alive there with Jesus.”
In another post to Instagram, Kelly wrote: “My flesh is grieving in despair, but my spirit is covered in the presence of God. Please don’t stop praying for us, for Everett.”
Not only is Kelly using the accident to pull closer to God, but she is encouraging others to do the same.
“Please keep praying for us, but when you pray please also ask God to make himself so real in your own life and see your need for Jesus. It’s so real. This time right now on earth feels so fake like it’s not my life but the presence of God is so real. Zac is in Heaven.”
Social media exploded at the news of Zac’s passing. Photo-after-photo was shared, reminiscing over the good times they had together, and thanking him for the impact he had made on their lives.
A friend even set up a website in remembrance called “Zac, you are loved,” that is a place to “honor the legacy and memory of Zac Stuckey so that Kelly and Everett never forget how loved he is and how loved they are.”
A family friend of the Stuckey’s, Becca Russell Brisiel, created a GoFundMe “help cover cost for Kelly and Everett at this time,” that has already raised almost $60,000.
“Most importantly pray for healing and peace at this time,” Brisiel added in the description.
If you would like to support the family in any way, you can find more information on how-to here.