Faith In Times of Trial

I have often wondered how I would handle tragedy in my life. No...I'm not asking for anything to happen so that I'll find out.

A couple very close to myself and a lot of people at church and around them lost a loved one this week. But, not just a loved one....a son. In my heart, knowing these people, I knew how they would be when I went to see them with my cousin. Yes, they are sad, but their hearts still hold God. He wasn't pushed out or set aside. They spoke of God's getting them through and you could see that even though they are hurting, they know they have someone on which they can lean. His mom was telling us about her trip to the hospital and about how it seemed that God was slowly preparing her for the news she was about to receive. She said that she prayed OUT LOUD!!! I know this seems simple, but how many Christians hide their prayers in public so that others won't hear? I know I do on occasion. But why? There are so many things she could have done differently, but she (and her husband) stayed on the path through all of the pain. She is one of a few people I use as an example of a true Christian. I could explain that more, but this will go on forever.

I also heard a story on Tuesday about an accident in Wyoming that took the lives of a man and his baby girl and injured the wife (mom). A few years earlier they had had a little boy and due to health issues he was taken from them within weeks. My mom read me the eulogy that this man had written for his son's funeral. It was absolutely beautiful. I wish I could put it on here, but I don't have it. He basically said that even though his baby boy was taken from him, he knew there was a reason. People often question why God would allow a woman to go through 9 months of carrying a little one inside them and then take them away so soon. This couple knew the answer to that question. If their loss could lead even one more person to know the love of God, their son's death would not have been in vain. I pray that the wife/mom will hold that faith in her heart through her loss and her healing.

So, my question is...when God sees fit to take away someone I love will I question him? Will I push Him out of my life so I can grieve and not allow myself to see that my loss is Heaven's gain? Will I pretend that I understand but secretly harbor resentment? OR Will I react in the same way these two couples have? I am not asking for this to be put to the test any time soon. I just hope that when this does happen that God and those close to me will help me attain the latter. It's so easy to say you love God when things are working out the way you'd like them to (or when they're pretty close). How much easier would it be to get through the hard times if you have someone to whom you can hand your sorrow? It doesn't sound like a difficult question. We're the ones who won't accept an easy answer.

Family Wrecks

Well, I had a slight scare last week. I say slight because I know my cousin did a whole lot more freaking out than I did. I called my cousin before church on Wednesday to see if she was going to meet for dinner as we usually do before choir. When she answered, she was not her usual jovial self. Quite the opposite. The first words out of her mouth were, "I've been in a wreck! The car is really bad!" Now, if you know my cousin, you know she's a laid back sort of individual. It takes a bit to rattle her. So, of course, I was immediately worried. Turns out she's fine. Bumps, bruises, broken finger and slight burns (from airbag). Hey! I'm starting to not like the letter "B". It starts several not so fun words. Anyway, I digress. She has a tiny splint for her finger (which would work much better if she'd wear it) and her bruises are that really "pretty" yellow color now. Yuck! But, she sang at church last night (and did very well, if you ask me...but you didn't) so at least we know her vocal chords weren't damaged. :-D

My sissypoo was in a wreck several weeks ago, but it didn't scare me quite as badly because I had a good portion of the information up front and I wasn't talking to someone in "I've JUST been in an accident" mode. She did get banged up a tad though. See her blog under my "Tamra" link. There's a great pic from after her surgery. She seems to be recovering though. I talked to her on Saturday (her b-day) and the family was thrilled because she could raise her arm half-way. Nope, it doesn't take much to amuse us!

Hopefully both of them will be healed and back to their normal (well, as normal as they can get) selves in no time. We'll see.