Life Goes On

Posted on March 28, 2009 
Filed Under Personal, Spiritual Life

I’ve not blogged much for a few days. While I like to keep up with my online writing responsibilities, the people in my immediate circle are important to me. This week was a time of being with those around me, not really a time of talking with folks through the web.

This week was full of events, planned and unplanned. We had the usual things, like shuttling kids to various activities and just keeping the household running. One of our children headed to Denver for a few days to participate in a speech and debate tournament, and I spent half a day up there judging some of the presentations.

It was a week to grieve with the grieving. I sent a note to some friends who are struggling through the effects of an accident which has altered their lives forever. I talked on the phone with a friend whose daughter has had serious emotional difficulties. And I touched base with a friend who recently lost his job. Tuesday a co-worker lost her battle with cancer, but entered into the eternal joy of being with face to face with Jesus. She was a wonderful, funny, dear woman, and next week there’s a service celebrating her life.

Also this week, we learned that the teenage son of some close friends took his life. It was shocking and saddening news. My wife spent hours at their house offering comfort and a listening ear. It raised some issues to talk through with our kids, and put a cloud over our days that is just now starting to go away. We attended the memorial service yesterday, and it was a packed auditorium of people. Coming from across the community were adults and young people who knew and loved the boy. The demonstrations of support and care for the family will surely continue in the coming weeks.

On Thursday the “Blizzard of ’09″ arrived, shutting down much of Colorado along the “Front Range” – including Focus on the Family. Shoveling the front walk reminded me of how out of shape I am. Friday was a snow day, and the offices were closed.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds me that there is a time for everything. I’m seeing that in technicolor this week. There have been tears, there has been joy. There have been moments of pain, moments of laughter. A time to be silent, a time to speak.

And here we are, on a beautiful Saturday morning. The snow is melting and the kids are cleaning around the house. After an enjoyable breakfast together we’re up ‘n running! We’ve got errands to run, bills to pay, and school work to be graded. Things to do, places to go. You know.

And so life goes on, interrupted but not stopped by sobering losses and snow storms. Full of the mundane, but making room for the extraordinary. And in the midst of it all, I am asking God to reveal Himself, to be present, to bring comfort amidst the pain.  I am but a clay pot, He is the Potter, and I pray He use me – somehow – in the lives of others.

Comments

2 Responses to “Life Goes On”

  1. Juanita on April 3rd, 2009 7:30 am

    As I listened to the heartbreaking story of the tragedy involving Taylor students, it overshadowed difficulties my own teen grandsons face this very day. Whenever I say “why” it seems God reminds me He created us to grow and to comfort others in the midst of our own dilemma. My prayer will be for these families (and other parents of teens) who simply cannot fathom what tomorrow may bring into their family circle.

  2. Linda on April 4th, 2009 1:22 pm

    JUGGLING WORK, HOME, PERSONAL MIXISTRY RESPONSIBILITIES IS NOT EASY. Thanks for your “sabbatical” from the blog… it tells me that sometimes we must prioritize all good things… not always issues of right or wrong…

    I lost my brother to suicide 35 years ago, ten years later I lost an uncle to suicide… then after another 25 years, the adult son of my uncle, took his life. other family members have died of cancer, heart, stoke, old age issues… There is something that lingers over time when the death is suicide, especially a close family member. I also experienced a miscarriage… trauma is part of life and there are lessons to be learned and re-learned. i try not to get caught up in what God did or could have done… I find that when I FINALLY open myself to the lessons HE wants to teach me, these tragedies are redeemed and spur ministry opportunities. Everyone is hurting. Sharing our experiences brings healing to us and to others and reminds us to Focus on Jesus in all situations. Thanks!

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