As I write this blog post this morning, I’m wiping away tears. I just received word that a dear friend of mine here in Memphis lost both her parents last night in a tragic train accident. How does one handle this kind of grief? My heart goes out to the families who are still in shock that this has happened so suddenly.
It’s the day before Thanksgiving—a time we focus on giving thanks. How do we give thanks when something like this happens? Questions flood over us: God, why did this happen? God, You could have prevented this. What did this family do to deserve this? Why did You take both of them? God, why?
We don’t know why it happened. But we know our God.
We know . . .
He is faithful.
“Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God . . .” Deut. 7:9
He loves us.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son . . .” John 3:16
He is sovereign.
“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19
He sees the big picture when we can only see a small piece of the story. It doesn’t make sense now, but one day we’ll understand. God is working—even in tragic accidents like this.
The devotion I read this morning (dated November 21) is from Carol Kent’s book, He Holds my Hand. She began the devotion with a quote from Alan Redpath. It was just what I needed this morning after receiving this news.
“There is no circumstance, no trouble, no testing, that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ, right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose.”
There are probably some of you reading this who are going through difficult and challenging times. Perhaps you’re wiping away tears because of a situation you’re going through today.
I don’t know why, but I know my God.
Knowing Him is what carries us through times like this.
“The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22–23
I’m so sorry to read this, Crickett. Will be keeping your friend in my prayers. She’s blessed to have you to lean on.
Thanks, Cathy! Her parents were godly examples in our church, and our church family is taking this hard. We will miss them greatly. We’re still trying to process this loss. It’s just a reminder of how fleeting life is. Thanks for your prayers. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!