I had just come from the hospital, where I had visited a member of our church who had been shot. As the night went on with no hope, he appeared ready to die and make heaven his home. I knew that when he passed away, we would miss him dearly.
A few days later, I got a bang on my door in the middle of the night. I could never prepare for what I heard next. They had found a dead baby in the dumpster next to my house. Emotional complications had led to a mother trying to deliver her baby and then throwing it away. This was a massive shock, causing immediate grief for my family, the community, and myself.
Today, as I remember those moments of weeping in my ministry; a young man shot, a newborn baby found dead in a dumpster. What comforted me in those times, is knowing God can use these dark moments for good. Even though, this isn’t what I expected or what I wanted to happen, I had to remind myself He is still good. Words from John 11:35 remind us that Jesus too had to deal with the death of people He loved. How comforting it is to know that just as Jesus wept over his friends, He also weeps with us in our grief. That’s why I love Him.
Jesus wept. — John 11:35
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for showing us that tears are okay. Father, remind us that you are with us in our grief and that you are our comforter. Lord, please heal our hurts and bring goodness into our lives, that we may share it with others. In Christ’s name. Amen.
