It has been one of those days. I am keenly aware of how quickly life can change. My life is the same (for the most part) as when I woke up this morning, but a local youth pastor and his six month old son died in a fire last night. I have read many posts on Face Book by those who knew him. It breaks my heart that two little girls now will grow up without their daddy. I wonder how a wife survives the gut wrenching sorrow of losing her husband and her baby boy. When I look at the faces of this young father and his young son and realize the tragedy that occurred….I feel vulnerable
I follow a few CaringBridge journals regularly of people I don’t know. Stories that I have learned of and in the tragic reality of cancer,
I have committed to pray daily for Kate and all who love her. Kate has battled cancer since June 2009. She is a vibrant young girl who has a family who understands in a very real way what it means to fight for her life. Kate’s cancer has returned and her prognosis is bleak. And yet the appeal from Kate’s parents is to plead before God for a miracle and complete healing. I join them in every prayer I offer. I see her innocence and her beauty and I hope with them and for them….and yet I must be honest, when I see the way this disease take’s it’s 
toll….I feel vulnerable.
I have to say that today I realize that the price of gas and the cold and windy weather we are having and even my own struggle to lose weight, all seem quite trivial as I observe the struggles of those who are sorrowing over life and death issues. 
I am sad for my friend Deanna who is waking up in the morning to attend her mother’s memorial service and my friend Lori says good-bye to her Dad at his memorial service.
Life is a mystery in so many ways. I am grateful that at times such as these, I am able to remember words that resonate through the ache, confusion and vulnerability…truths such as “Be still and know that I am God” or Because He Lives I can face tomorrow. As the days come closer to Good Friday and Easter, may I remember that this world is temporary and there will be a day when “we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise then when we’ve first begun!”
Oh, Lord, haste the day when my faith will be sight. The clouds be rolled back as a scroll. The trump shall resound, and the Lord will descend, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh, my soul!
This post is somewhat heartbreaking….you have a way with words, Trish. A friend from work just had her son-in-law pass away today after fighting cancer since July 2009 and he and his wife have a 1 year old and a 3 year old. I wonder God’s purpose in all these things that have happened recently but I do love the verse “Lori” posted above and try to focus on that instead of the sorrow.
I was in the ER with my five year old when they brought them in on Thursday night. It was a heartwrenching tragedy I will never forget. What a blessing that you could serve in Crossroads Children’s Ministry…. a real way to reach out to a hurting congregation. I will continue praying for the family and their church.