Yet again, my boyfriend, S, received a call late last week about a friend of his dying suddenly from a heart attack. He was 39. He has a wife and 2 children and so many friends and family who are going to miss him desparately. S is one of those people and it pains me to see him dealing with so many tragedies in the past several months. I look to the Bible for help, for encouragement, and I know we can never know the reasons behind these losses, but when someone so young dies so suddenly, the question that pops up, is why? Why him? Why now? He was healthy, took care of himself, loved his family and friends... so why him? And then S says, is my time coming? I tell him he can't think like that, but honestly, if this was happening to me and my friends, I can't say I wouldn't think the same way.
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We have to hold on to our faith in times like these. It's difficult and it tests our faith in God and the greater good because we cannot see the grand plan, but I believe if we trust in God, He will make all things right. It's not always in OUR time, but in HIS. I have no reasons for this tragedy nor do I pretend to have any answers or understand it. It's sad, and it's hard to watch S and his friends and this man's family go through this. No words, no deeds, nothing I say or do will make it easier, so I just sit and listen, or sometimes, we just sit in silence. I wish I could wrap my arms around him and make all the pain go away, but I know I can't. I am here for you. That is all I can do.
I pray the sadness and dark times leave us and light shines through and shows S God's love and comfort. May God's peace and love surround them all and give them strength and comfort in the days, weeks, months and years to come. Lord, enfold them in your loving arms and let them know you are there for them, protecting them, loving them, comforting them. Grant them peace. Amen.
