A Dream Planted in Grief, Watered in Prayer, and Now—Made Real

Our First Blog Post – by Jill Nelson

Today, with a heart full of emotion and deep gratitude, I write this first blog post for God Above All Else—a dream born from the deepest sorrow I’ve ever known. Over four years ago, my son Ryan died by suicide. In the days and months that followed, my world was forever changed. Grief became a constant companion, and the ache of loss ran deep. But even in that brokenness, God never left. He met me in the silence. He held me through the questions.  He began planting something new—a vision to offer hope to others walking through the darkness. This site exists in Ryan’s memory, but more than that, it exists to lift high the name of Jesus. The phrase Ryan carried—“God Above All Else”—was not just a slogan. It was a declaration. One that we now continue in his honor, trusting that the God who carried him in his struggles is the same God who carries us in ours. As I wrestled through unimaginable pain, God kept brining one verse to me over and over again—sometimes through Scripture, sometimes through others, and often whispered gently to my heart by the Holy Spirit: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”— Genesis 50:20I clung to that verse. It became an anchor. It reminded me that even in tragedy, God is still working. That He can redeem the unimaginable. That Ryan’s life—and even his death—could be used by God to bring healing, hope, and even salvation to others. Today, I give thanks to the Lord for bringing this vision to life. What began as a flicker of hope during some of my most painful days has become a place where resources, truth, and encouragement can meet people in their own valleys—whether they're struggling with mental health, walking beside someone who is, or grieving a life lost to suicide. I also want to offer a special and heartfelt thank you to Jody Purtell from Lead The Way Social. Her creativity, dedication, and heart have played such a vital role in making this vision a reality. Jody, thank you for walking with me through this process, for believing in the mission, and for using your gifts to bring God’s light and hope to this space. My prayer is simple but earnest: Lord, use this space, use these words, use the pain, use all the broken pieces and place, use everything—for Your redemptive purposes and your glory.  May those who visit this site find You in the middle of their struggle and know that they are never alone. Thank you for being here. I pray that as you explore, read, and share, you’ll sense the love of a Savior who draws near to the brokenhearted and redeems even the darkest chapters of our stories.

~With a grateful heart, Jill