Sad day…
Today is a very sad day. I just returned from the funeral of a 4 month old boy, our youngest pastor’s son. It was the first time in my 40-something years that I have seen a dead child. Of course, the funeral was also a bittersweet affair. He was blessed with strong parents, yet even they were so full of grief, longing and pain. That little boy will be dearly missed, although we can all rejoice that he is sitting in the very lap of God today. I will post on the funeral soon over at Be Strong.
When I returned home, a letter was waiting in the mail box to inform us that another of our pastors has decided to accept a call to a mission field church just north of here. I am struggling with this news. Suffice it to say that I deeply love this pastor as a father and can’t believe he is leaving us. It is hard to understand that God wants our pastor somewhere else when he is so needed here.
Both of these events have caused many people great pain and yet, as Christians, we turn to God for comfort. God has a remedy in place for this sinful world and that is where we must place our hope. It is fitting that we sang the wonderful hymn, Heaven is My Home.
On the happier side of life, my son has his first football scrimmage of the year tonight, my children are healthy and happy (or reasonably so, for teenagers) and I couldn’t have asked for a better lover and friend than my husband. Still, I sit at my desk and silently cry.
I was so sorry to hear of the death of the little boy–we will keep his parents in our prayers–how devastating! Without the hope of heaven I don’t know how people cope with such a loss. It is reassuring to think of this little one in the arms of Jesus.
Sorry also to hear of the pastor’s leaving–is it Pastor R or Pastor E?
Suzi
Suzi,
You are the second person today to say that! It must be so. It was so blessed to see that even through their deep and profound grief, evidence of joy was still there. You could sense their physical and earthly devastation, but not spiritual devastation. The service was one of both great sadness and great joy. They were so totally open to everyone’s hugs, tears, etc.
Pastor R. is the one leaving. Upon reading his long letter, I believe he will still be around quite a bit. It is the synod’s plan to daughter a congregation in the Rogers area, but he will still have some duties at KOG. I think he wants to confirm the class he’s been working with, for one thing. He will also do the Adult confirmation classes.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Theresa