My friend is dying.
The feelings I have are bizarre. For one, I have neither seen nor spoken to this friend in an unknown number of years; yet there is still sorrow and heartfelt prayers on his behalf. I am glad that he holds fiercely to Christ even as he clings to life; yet I cry out to God, wondering why one so young, one who follows him, would have to suffer and die. My only memory of my friend is shooting bottle rockets at the neighbor across the street on a hazy summer afternoon; my only picture of my friend is an image I just saw of him and his wife holding each other and smiling...cancer-bald head and all.
I have been reading Job, and so in the face of suffering and questions, only the words from the beginning of Job's trials come to mind. "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Father, we can only trust you when we cannot understand you in this. Draw near to Pete's family and strengthen them with ruthless trust in you.
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2 comments:
Amen.
Hey man! I've haven't been here in far too long; how is it I get so preoccupied with my busy life, and manage to neglect my friends? I am such a jerk.
I just found out today that an acquaintance from high school has cancer; she and her now husband were in my youth group--now they have a little boy and a little girl.
They were only a year ahead of me, which is just...weird. Makes you feel...mortal, right? Aren't we too young for this? It's like, there might've been some kids you knew about who got cancer when you were a kid, but then there's this gap, and then the adult wave starts or something. I'm not sure I'm ready to turn 30 yet after all.
Peace, bro
Thank you, Jay, for reminding me that "the Lord gives & the Lord takes away". I, too, am so saddened with my friend, Joanie, and the struggle they have been through with Peter. They must be heartbroken, and it's good to remember that God is in control! Sometimes, though, I just don't get it ...
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