I always wanted a window over the kitchen sink and in our current home I have one. My kitchen window becomes a movie screen with all kinds of activity. I never know what I’m going to see in my front-row seat of our community. To the far right, I see the end of our street which intersects with one of the main thoroughfares in our development. The stop sign there is quite visible, however, more than one driver needs to bone up on their Florida Statute 316.123 that advises when you come upon a stop sign, come to a complete halt.
Our streets are lined with sidewalks to provide a safe place for neighbors walking with, or without, their dogs. Breeds range from small Yorkies to majestic Huskies. In fact, some parents walk their dogs while pushing a stroller or baby carriage combining two outings into one.
When I look directly in front of me, I see my neighbor’s manicured back yard. In addition to his timed sprinkler, he is faithful in manually watering his shrubs during the hot Florida summer days.The next house has two kayaks on their screened porch—a sport I wish I had mastered. As my head turns further to the left, my emotions quickly change from a neutral state, if you will, to a deep sympathetic knot in my stomach when I see the driveway of a home on the next street parallel to ours.
A great loss has visited this home and no words, meals, cards, and flowers, though appreciated, can replace the absence. Only by the grace of God can the family continue on as they pass their youngest son’s bedroom, see his favorite cereal in the pantry and the framed photos of the lad’s high school graduation.
What scripture can I use that can adequately express that God was there and is there and will continue to be there even when the emptiness is consuming? Holy Spirit is so faithful in reminding us of God’s Word which can be surprising—like this one:
Ps. 46:10, Be still and know I am God.
How does a Christian family be still at the most crushing time of their lives? With hundreds of thoughts and emotions crisscrossing together like a ball of yarn–crying, screaming, pacing, sleeplessness, unbelief, numbness, would more aptly be described than being still. What greater walk of faith can be tested? Would I know and recognize the God of that moment? The God who gave life and now has called my child home? I honestly don’t know how I would be still or know anything!
I am reminded of the Psalms where David cried out to the Lord for compassion, forgiveness, guidance, mercy, peace, protection, and strength. He encountered betrayal, disloyalty, hatred, harm, deceit, grief, fear, sin and doubt. And yet, after a myriad of emotions, he praises and rejoices in the Lord. Like us, who else hears the silent cries from so deep within that they are deafening—to whom do we run?
1 To you, LORD, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands
to your most Holy Place.
6 Praise be to the LORD,
for he has heard my cry for mercy. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Psalm 28:1-2, 6-9 NIV
We pour our heart out to this God who gives us life, but how do we respond to the untimely passing of a young loved one? What do we have that will bring the peace once known?
John 11:17-27 tells us:
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” John 11:17-27
Are these just words from the Old Testament and the New Testament? Is Be still and know I am God, just another quote someone thought would be a nice addition? Or do we believe 2 Timothy 3:15-17 that
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteous, that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
How do we continue to be trained in righteousness and remain fully equipped when facing a trail that defies any experience we’ve encountered? We all have choices. We can choose to believe that there is eternal life through Christ or not. From what I understand, the family who lost their youngest son, believes that there is eternal life through Christ and that they will be reunited with
him someday. Their walk of faith continues to grow stronger, and when stumbling, they get up and continue on this journey praying that others will come to believe that there is life after death—and that life is the Lord Jesus Christ.
I pray all who read this will ask themselves, “Do I have eternal life? Have I strayed from the Life Giver? Will he accept me and my brokenness?” The expression, Time Heals All Wounds, won’t heal the loss of their precious son—not here. In their stillness, they know the God they serve will unite them again for eternity.
