Sorry to steal this away for the good Citizen. It’s only once.
What I hate today: death
What I love today: a great teaching from my pastor
There are things that have been going through my brain this weekend. I grabbed a quick glance of the news on Sunday a.m. As the news mentions, Tammy Faye Messner (formerly Bakker) has passed away due to inoperable cancer. My heart sank for a moment despite the sin that sank PTL, the empire built by the Bakker family. She was for some, an icon, and yet still for some a source of unending jokes about make-up and weeping a mascara flood. Regardless of the scandal and personal and political problems she maintained that her faith in God and that upon her death God would “take her straight to Heaven.” While saddened, I had a moment of silence and continued preparing for Sunday morning service.
Upon arriving at work today, I am informed that our payroll manager suddenly and unexpectedly passed away on Sunday. While I didn’t know her, I was saddened by the fact that she died alone. She had never married and had no children. Within 15 minutes of the announcement, my boss received a phone call that her husband’s aunt passed during the night.
I know that it doesn’t usually sit well when you tell someone that “Well, God is in control” or “at least they are suffering.” I know it didn’t when our second child died. But after Pastor Andy’s teaching on God’s Sovreignty, I am finding that it is comforting. I know that after I left church on Sunday that I really thought about our baby that died. And came to a realization of peace over the whole situation. I mean, I still miss my baby, but I know that God was in control of the whole situation. He numbered our days before time began, well before we were “knit together in [our] mothers’ wombs.” He knew that Tammy Faye and my coworker would die this weekend. He knew that their families would grieve. He knows that only he can heal the wounds.
I thank God that one of His characteristics is of the comforter.
Father, may You come and comfort those with heavy hearts. God fill the void in the family’s lives with You and your purpose for them. Amen.
Prodigal Thinker 