On Saturday Feb 19, my dear friend Cassie heard the heart-wrenching news that her injured brother-in-law was taken off life support. Andrew Carpenter gave his life while serving in Afghanistan. I cannot express to you the sadness that has overcome all of those who are connected to Andrew and his wife Crissie. Grief and consuming sorrow have become like an ever-present, looming cloud above our heads. I grieve with my friend Cassie as she mourns her sister, Crissie's, loss. Crissie is near the end of her pregnancy and she is carrying an already cherished little baby boy whom she will name Landon.
It is so difficult to reconcile with this paradox: when a loved dies, how does life goes on? You look around and wonder at how the world even keeps spinning. Your consuming grief is almost paralyzing; and yet the sun still rises after you've cried yourself to sleep. God, comfort us in the tragedies of this life. Our only rest is in You. We can only continue on with You. Our grief would devour us without Your arms holding us up.
I attended Blakemore Church of the Nazarene today for Fin Knowles' dedication. Cassie was able to come today, too. She sat in between Kat and me; we wanted to sandwich her with love, touch, & support. We felt God's presence, and we shared tears. God spoke to me in the words of the song Choose -
"For in the fullness of who You are, I can rest in this place. And giving over this, my journey, Lord, I see nothing but Your face."
It dawned on me anew that we are on a journey. We walk a strange, narrow, beautiful, path. On this path we encounter joys, surprises, hardships & newness. Our only constant is the Lord. Our only hope is found in Him. Our journey in this world may wind; it may take us up to steep heights that let us touch the sky; it may take us through treacherous valleys that threaten our life and steal our joy. We never know what may happen on our journey. God has not promised to keep us from worldly harm. His Son actually tells us the world will be difficult for us - "In this world you will have trouble.." were Jesus' words. But our journey doesn't end there. Jesus continues by saying "but take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Praise Him! He has taken our afflictions and made them His own. He is redeeming this world. He has overcome the enemy that threatens to kill and destroy us. Praise God!
O great God, comfort our suffering. Hear our cries. Heal our wounds. We cling to Your promise that, "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" Ps. 30:5 And we are thankful that God "...has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one, He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help" Ps. 22:24
God, scoop up Crissie in your arms right now. Heal her broken heart. Cradle her and Andy's baby in Your loving, Fatherly arms. Wipe away her tears. Bring her peace about the future. Give help to her as she makes difficult decisions. Thank you for her. Thank you for the life Crissie shared with Andy. We love You.
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