A Hard Holiday
One phone call can change a lot. After celebrating a great Christmas with my family, I was awakened at 2 am by wife telling me that a friend was on the phone. His daughter had been killed in an accident. As a pastor, you get more of these phone calls than you would ever care to. There is something surreal about a call like that in the middle of the night. I found myself in unbelief as I crawled out of bed looking for some clothes to put on. I had to go to my friend’s side and take his family to the hospital to identify their daughter. It was a hard night, and it has led to a tough week.
I know God is there. He has shown himself throughout this situation. The Holy Spirit has been sweet to minister to all those involved. I know there will be other unfortunate deaths that I have to deal with in the future. But I will never get use to the tragic loss of a young person. Death always seem to be an intruder. The Bible describes it as our enemy - and it will be the last enemy to be defeated. There is just something haunting about the tragic death of a young person. It is so emotional and hard.
More than ever, I look forward to a day in heaven when there will be no more sorrow, suffering, and pain for the old order of things will have passed away. Jesus said, “I make all things new!” It is a new year. I have a lot to look forward to. Our church has a lot to look forward to. But I can’t help but start off the new year a little sad. Its been a hard week. And for some friends, there family will never quite be the same.
