In times like these

I just found out that one of my former roommate's dad has died. It was totally unexpected. He was completely healthy, but had a sudden heart attack.

I had to re-read the email several times to make sure that's what I saw and that it wasn't some joke. What's sad is my friend has been a missionary in northern Iraq and wasn't supposed to return until June...but I guess the Lord has other plans...or something...

I was speechless as I stared at the computer screen. I was thinking, "This isn't fair, Lord! She is such a great girl and she's been working so hard in Iraq and reaching people..." Her parents were opposed to her going... was it fear or distress over his daughter that hurt him??

Anyway. After my initial shock, my thoughts immediately turned to scripture: "our times are in Your hands." And "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away..." (From the song "Blessed be Your Name" and the Job story).

We truly don't know when our time is up...or when our family's time is up... we don't know when sorrow or pain is going to hit... we don't know why bad things to happen to good people...

I guess the joy in this is He is with the Lord...but so soon! He still has a 14 year old at home...

But...you know, the Lord REALLY is in control. It's times like these you throw up your hands and say, "Ok, God. I don't get it. But I'm gonna keep going. I'm gonna trust you know what you're doing..." (And He does.)

I think it's also times like these that the Lord takes a moment to wake us up... to remind us THIS IS NOT OUR HOME! I thought about Steven Curtis Chapman's old song, "We are not home yet." This is so true! This earth may have been created for man originally, but our purpose is to dwell with the Lord...and we really aren't TRULEY, COMPLETELY in His presence until we go home! We must leave this planet, leave our temporary bodies and be with Jesus.



That's the bottom line in times like these.