A dear friend from high school experiences a great loss and then endures another huge tragedy immediately afterward. My head is still reeling from the news of the first sadness and then, bam, another one. Someone please tell me I’m dreaming, this can’t be happening to such kind people! Why, O Lord, why???
Saturday night I took pictures of the amazing black bean quinoa burgers I made. The next morning, I’m seeking Aaron’s thoughts on much deeper things. I’m blessed to have a black bean quinoa burger, Jesus loving boy.
I reach out to my ministry-minded olive shoot who’s a Biblical Exposition major at Moody Bible institute in Chicago. With a semester of Bible college, surely he can explain why God would allow these things to happen.
He can’t.
Ten minutes later, the pastor is setting up for church. He’s having technical difficulties with the computer, the projector, whatnot. Thankfully we attend a very modest small church so it’s not like we’re having a huge mass of people. I almost didn’t go to church, too vulnerable, I’m too sad.
But where else should I be but among Christ followers who can pray? It is a safe place for emotions.
And I approach the pastor, explain the sorrowful details, imploring him to make sense of it all. Tears flow, it’s hard to talk. Please give me answers, while simultaneously trying to fix the audio-visual issues, because I need them. NOW.
Lord, I don’t understand
He can’t.
All the human, mortal, flawed people I asked, they couldn’t come up with answers. What really could they say? But they listen and their hearts break. It validates my anguish and I know they will pray for those who are deep in the valley of grief.
I know where I need to go. Before the Lord. Even though it hurts and I might not completely understand. I speak honestly with God, my perfect, trusted Friend. I reach into his Word, I find truth and blessed assurance.
HE can –
heal (Psalm 6)
comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
lighten our darkness (Psalm 18:29)
provide refuge (Psalm 57:1)
strengthen (Psalm 84:4)
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:19
Please Lord, comfort those who mourn today.
My Awesome Olive Shoots 
I just got hit – with tears out of the blue – over Lilly this morning. then I read your post and felt so comforted by Psalm 94:19 and then the picture of the rainbow following it. What marvelous timing! God loves us so!
Grief can come at any minute, I understand this. So thankful the words that I shared and most importantly, God’s Word brought you a measure of comfort. Bless you and thank you for blessing me with your comment.
Hi sweet friend, I’m praying for you and those who are grieving. Life is full of things we can’t comprehend. We’ve just got to cling to the One who does…and knows the future. I love you!
So true! I don’t know how anyone can do this life without the Lord. I love you too!