I was working on a Thursday Thirteen for today, but my day swiftly changed early this morning.
Today I am thinking about a young man. A young man who was the basketball coach, a member of my school staff a few years ago. A young man who met the love of his life, sold his sports car, bought a more practical car, and prepared a place for her in his life. A young man who had so much faith that he waited patiently in the background until her engagement to another man fell apart. A young man who married the love of his life and filled it with the joy of love and the joy of a little boy who loves his daddy fiercely. While working a second job so his wife could stay home with their son, a catastrophic event sent him into the arms of his Savior.
Most of the people in my workplace know him and his extended family well. The uniform for today was red eyes, pale faces, and wan smiles. Sadness permeated the hallways. Yes, he was a Christian. Yes, there is no doubt that he met His Savior. It still hurts, and the shock is all we can really focus on right now. Tomorrow we will rejoice for him. Today we think of his newly widowed young wife and their son, who will turn 3 on Monday. Of his mother who was to undergo heart surgery tomorrow. It’s hard to celebrate his home-going just yet.
I am overwhelmed. It was a horrible day and I am so glad to finally be home. Many people say we aren’t supposed to ask God why. I don’t believe that. I know He won’t answer that question now, but He doesn’t care if I ask. I mean, He already knows what’s in my heart, so why not say it? Why, God, why? We don’t understand. We cannot understand. But we look to You for comfort; we trust Your infinite wisdom.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
The Holy Bible
