Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Below is a revision of a reflection I posted in early January of 2005, following the death of a friend's grandmother. And as constant as death and suffering, this reflection still holds true...

Spring is the season of potential; to see the unexpected come alive and to wish for the unattainable. But amidst it all, there continues to be threaded our human questions concerning loss, misfortunes, suffering and death. Who would have invented such concepts/experiences and why do they continue to occur?

Dear friends of mine lost their sister this past week and are preparing for their other sister to go into surgery for a brain tumor this week. A fraternity brother of mine lost his mother last week. And in front of the backdrop of this hopeful season of Spring, they - along with so many others - are most likely wondering the very question above. To them and so many others, I have no heavenly wisdom or sound answers. But I would share with them all a wonderful passage from one of my favorite authors that addresses the struggle of human hope in the face of pain and loss:

Why does God wait until the money is gone? Why does He wait until the sickness has lingered? Why does he choose to wait until the other side of the grave to answer the prayers for healing?

I don't know. I only know His timing is always right. I can only say He will do what is best. "God will always give what is right to His people who cry to Him night and day, and He will not be slow to answer them." (Luke 18:7)

Though you hear nothing, He is speaking. Though you see nothing, He is acting. With God there are no accidents. Every incident is intended to bring us closer to Him.

- Max Lucado, A Gentle Thunder

Godspeed to Linda and Mark's mother. A prayer of strength to Judy as she enters surgery and my mother Leone who continues to live with her disease... and a simple wish of peace, hope and understanding for all of us who stand and will - eventually - stand on the mysterious threshold of pain and death, believing that moment is, at best, is transitory and helpless in the face of the glory that lies ahead for all of us.