Holding On To The Promises In Loss

Tuesday long time friends shared that their oldest grandchild was killed in a moped accident.  She was only 28, enjoying life, exploring the world.  And her life abruptly ended.  The pain the family is going through is beyond description.

We expect death to come in our lives.  Our parents, grandparents, even ourselves as we age.  But we do not expect to bury children ~ours or others.  And grandchildren are off limits.  But living in a broken world means the rules we live by can be broken.  The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

I remember when our son Kevin died.  He would have been 37 next week.  It was a difficult time for us and for his siblings. It is hard to describe what you feel at the time, and it is not even manageable without God to lean on.  We take comfort in knowing our loved ones are in heaven, but it does not stop us from feeling loss.

As a pastor, Joel has stood by the gravesides of so many who were bearing great loss. Horrific circumstances from murder, accidents, still births, disease, fire, and of course, old age.  It is never easy for those who gather, but especially when a child is involved.  He/we have stood at the graveside of too many children.

Some people believe that it is God's plan for loved ones to die, that He allows or causes accidents, disease, destruction.  It was "their time" to die.  Some people take comfort in believing that their suffering is ordained by God to give him glory.  I often question if you believe God puts sickness on you for his glory......why do you go to doctors to get well?  If you visit here often enough, you know that we are not in agreement with those beliefs.  None of us would want our children to be in tragic circumstances. Why would God?  Our Father in heaven delights in us and wants to bless His children.  He is our loving Papa God.  In response to the devil's desire to kill, steal, and destroy, Jesus came to give us life and to give it to us more abundantly!

In death and loss we hold on to God's Word and promises.  We will see loved ones again and we hold that promise close. And in the midst of it we have hope for that day while living life as a precious gift day by day here.  

Bless them in their loss, Lord.  Bless all who grieve.

What We Do Know

Yesterday our friend Linny from A Place Called Simplicity shared that a friend of hers, a sweet mom of fifteen children (8 adopted from Africa died.  Her life was cut short.  This kind of tragedy takes our breath away.  It makes us hold tighter to those we love as we try to comprehend with shock the death of someone who's young life reflected a heart for Jesus.  Besides having a love for the orphan, she and her husband Brad were part of a mission ministry.  They walked with God every step of the way.   They live three hours from us here in Iowa.

On Facebook and her blog, many have commented as they try to wrap their minds around the loss this family is facing.  More than one person believed it was "ordained" by God.  Others felt there must be a bigger purpose for God to allow or take this mom from her family.  Others are praying God can somehow use this for good.  Another said Jenny was such an angel on earth that for sure she is one in heaven now.  Different people expressing different beliefs about her death.

Joel and I do not believe God ordained Jenny's death.  We believe her life was cut short, but not by God.  We believe we live in a broken world, corrupted by sin.  A world where the devil roams about like a lion seeking who he may devour.  We believe God had a plan for Jenny to live a long life as His child, fulfilling His purpose for her.  Yet she did not, and questions go unanswered.

During times like these we need to focus on what we do know about God, and what we know can be found in Scripture.  We know that He is a loving God who sent His son to die on the cross for our sins and sicknesses because He loves us so very much.  We know that bad things happen to good people.  We know that God is faithful!  We know that God collects our tears in a bottle and that He weeps when we weep.  We know that when we accept Jesus as our Savior we have eternal life and that even in death we have the victory.  Victory is ours!  Victory is Jenny's.

Today I ask that you pray for Brad and their 15 children as they cope and grieve the loss of his wife and their mother. We pray for all those who love Jenny and we pray for the legacy she leaves behind to outshine the tragedy that has unfolded.   We pray her heart for Jesus overflows into the hearts of others.  She was an inspiration for us all.

Recalling The Good

This week has been challenging for me.  I have been struggling with major sinus issues, headaches and an increase of symptoms for about a week. So not okay.

Last Friday my laptop stopped connecting to the Internet. Several days, three hours on the phone with support people and a technician here in our city,  and we are good to go.  The only fun part of talking with online technicians that 100% of the time speak English as a second language was today, when I asked where the guy named "Eugene" was from and he told me The  Philippines.  I commented that we had lived there for two years long ago, and we had a short conversation on the beauty of the country. I used to get frustrated with those who spoke unusual English as they tried to help this granny warrior, until I realized that I must sound strange to them with my Minnesota accent.  When they talk computer talk I do not understand no matter how well they speak English!  It is all gobbly-gook to me, although I am getting better at IP numbers, serial codes, modem speak and the like!  Ha!

So between the increase of symptoms and the decrease of Internet time, I have been pretty darn crabby, frustrated, and scared.  The scared part is only connected to the symptoms.  The crabby part is from lack of connection with the online world. 

Don't get me wrong, I am very aware of how blessed we are...Joel has a computer I can use if necessary and I have an iPad and Smart Phone.  Okay, now I feel like I should apologize for having too many toys!  Bottom line, it is difficult to type long emails or posts on the phone or iPad due to my eyes needing rest right now.  I have missed my laptop.  Yep, spoiled.

Then I remembered it was September 11th.  The anniversary of 9-11.  We can all recall that day, the planes, the death and devastation, the loss of security for America.  But just like the good and bad of having so many devices and just like the good and bad of my healing journey, there is good and bad on September 11.  You see, our oldest grandson was born this day 15 years ago.  He is a great young man, kind, funny, caring, and just plain awesome.  Okay, I may be a bit prejudice, but we are grandparents after all!

Grandson Evan with his sister Abbi

At this moment I am remembering the heroes of the September 11th attacks.  I am recalling the birth of our first grandchild.  I am remembering where my health used to be and where it is now, and I am remembering again our two years in The Philippines thanks to a young man named Eugene who crossed the ocean via satellite and came into my home to help out.

Our life becomes what we focus on and today I am focusing on the good.  I am blessed.

God's Heart Is Filled with Pain

"The Lord was grieved that He had made man on the earth,

and His heart was filled with pain."

Genesis 6:6

 

The tragedy in Newtown CT is beyond our comprehension.  It has stunned the world that someone could go into a classroom of precious little children and methodically kill them.  Innocent little ones with only a few years of their lives lived.  So much lost.....so much pain and sorrow.  So much trauma in those left behind. 

 

Lord have mercy.

I could not help but think of this verse today.  I expect at times God still grieves that He ever made man on the earth.  His heart must fill with pain at the horrors we humans inflict on each other.  And He has a special place in His heart for children.

 

Today many little children were welcomed into the Lord's arms.  Not only in CT. but around the world.  Evil takes many forms........But today we focus on the shocking tragedy that unfolded before our eyes.. The children.  Who could do this to children.   It is pure evil.  E.V.I.L   Only cowards go after children.....and Satan is a coward.

 

Today we are all angry over this senseless act of evil.  There will not be any answers that satisfy us as the story of this gunman unfolds.  Today we are saddened and mourn the loss of so many innocent children and the teachers who loved them.  Our hearts break and we hug each other a little more and a little longer.  

 

This tragedy is NOT God's will.  He did not ordain this.  God grieves as we grieve the loss of life here.  This happened because we live in a fallen world.  God grieves with us all this day and His heart is filled with pain.