Some encouragement
This week I’m having the opportunity to walk alongside a family who lost their son/brother/husband in a tragic car accident. It’s a terribly sad situation in which you never, ever imagine yourself being in. The emotions involved are overwhelming!
Being a pastor doesn’t mean I automatically know what to do and what to say because … I don’t. Anytime I’m involved in walking with anyone I’m constantly praying “God – you say the words, help me to know what to do”.
Yesterday, as I prepared to sit with the family to plan the memorial, I read 2 Corinthains 1; a passage I’ve literally read hundreds of times. Yesterday these words jumped off the page in verse 9; this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God. It was as if God wanted to tell me “Brad, you might seem overwhelmed right now. You might feel like you have to be ‘the answer man’ in so many different situations but you need to stop relying on your strength. Your strength is ‘leaking’ and I’m the only one to fill you back up. Rely on me ONLY and I’ll work through you”.
Wow – I needed that and am clinging to that very closely this week.
If you pray – I’d appreciate you praying for this family; the wife and two small children, the brother and the mom specifically. You could pray for me too 
as I try to share God’s love to the family.
June 24, 2009 at 3:25 pm
def
June 26, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I’m not sure I understand – “def”?
I can remember lying in my hospital bed at the General’s ICU ward following my accident in 1994 as my family was trying to explain to me that my mother passed away. The reality hit hard to my family as I explained to them that I already knew that. Waking up in the car I could hear the paramedics as they worked to save both are lives and the announcement of my mothers passing was deeply instilled in my heart from that moment until even today.
The honest truth is that I believe God prepares us for these moments whether we are aware of it or not. In a similar sense, I also hold strongly to the hope and faith that he brings to us throughout the moments that follow such painful experiences.
After explaining to my family that I already understood my mothers passing and detailed an experience I had earlier from my bedside there in the hospital room. I laid there starring at a small light at the end of my bed. It grew and continued to expand as I questioned what was happening. The funny thing was, was that I was not at all afraid of it and it felt vaguely familiar. Still I watched until a voice from the light spoke to me. Again, I will never forget this. It was my mother’s voice and all it said was, “You and your father will be ok.”
Such simple words and yet I cannot explain to you the complexities of that statement. It is something which I continue to work through and question today.
You may want to call it a miracle, delusional, or side effects to narcotics. Call it what you would like. I call it the opportunity to continue a much needed conversation with my mother. Something which I still continue to do today.