Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Christmas, most especially, is a time to believe in the unbelievable, to ask for the un-ask-able, and to wish 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?

A dear friend of mine lost her last grandparent this past week. And in front of the backdrop of this joyful season, she is most likely wondering these very questions. To her 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