Sunday, August 31, 2008
WE CALL IT LIFE
Three days ago I stood next to my buddy Zach in the hospital hallway as the proud daddy showed me his new baby girl. He beamed at the beautiful new life that had just entered the world. This young family was experiencing emotions like joy, excitement and happiness. I was so excited for this family.
Tonight I stood in the same place at the hospital, but this time with a different family. This family wasn't experiencing the thrill of a new life. There was no happiness, excitement or joy. Instead, this family was unexpectedly saying good-bye to a wife and a mother. Instead of tears of joy there were tears of sadness. My heart hurt for them.
Going through my head were the verses from Ecclesiastes: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..."
In the same hospital, one family celebrates while the other family weeps. One family welcomes a new birth while the other feels the pain of death. It's what we call "life." Reality. Sometimes life is incredibly rewarding, and at other times life will crush your heart.
One thing I know is this: In life or in death, God is still good.
Tonight I stood in the same place at the hospital, but this time with a different family. This family wasn't experiencing the thrill of a new life. There was no happiness, excitement or joy. Instead, this family was unexpectedly saying good-bye to a wife and a mother. Instead of tears of joy there were tears of sadness. My heart hurt for them.
Going through my head were the verses from Ecclesiastes: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..."
In the same hospital, one family celebrates while the other family weeps. One family welcomes a new birth while the other feels the pain of death. It's what we call "life." Reality. Sometimes life is incredibly rewarding, and at other times life will crush your heart.
One thing I know is this: In life or in death, God is still good.
Labels: God
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14 Comments:
Yes, God is good, but the questions left unanswered can make life extremely difficult for people in the contexts of both birth and dying.
Good word Trey. I am reminded of how short our stay on this world actually is. It is never easy to witness this, or to experience it. Yet, as you say, God is good.
In those moments, my intellectual mind can agree with that...yet my heart still breaks and asks why.
At the end of the day, we will either praise God or we won't. And if we don't, we can always pray to God for the willingness to praise Him. He can work with that.
I was just talking last night about something similar and while the same exact words didn't come out; the end conclusion was the same . . . In life or death, God is still good. Amen to that. thanks for another great but simple reminder of God's love
The song "Blessed be your name" comes to mind. The Redmans wrote it from their own experience of tragedy.
MY first thought was "The Shack". I just finished it last week at your recommendation. Powerful.
I've been in that "same hospital." I remember one night where at the same hospital like you, we celebrated with some good friends who brought their first child into the world and then a few floors away, we said goodbye to the Pastor who married us. Life can be staggering.
Good post, and very true. There's the good and bad, and God is there through it all.
I finished the Shack...man, I've never been touched by a book more. It was amazing.
Trey - man as we got to share our daughters birth with you I know for a fact that the family you ministered to appreciates everything you spoke over them. This reminds me of SS lesson- I taught on the importance of 'You'. A question that rings through my head is: If others could only watch how you spend your time, how you spend your money, what you love, who you love, do you think they would see that Jesus has risen from the dead? This is huge and just like the experience of life what You matters..
scratch the what in the last line there ;)
The verse that I think of when I read this post is..."For me to live is Christ but to die is gain." --Phil 1:21
I know, however, that it is easy to say when I am not having to deal with a personal death. The person who dies definitely gains it all, but they leave so many to pick up the pieces.
I said a prayer for both families you mentioned (don't know them but God does).
I love the pics across the top of this post!!!!!
This blog really hit home with me right now. Thanks for sharing and reminding me that God is God all the time.
The beauty of a lived life. It is sweet.
Trey,I find your blogs encouraging,especially enjoyed reading about the AIM team in Honduras. Marc & Terri Tindall, our son and daughter-in-law are missionaries in Honduras working with Torch Missions and the AIM team. I got your blog info from Terri's blog. Also, I remember you from our Borger TCC and enjoyed you so very much. Marc & Terri grew up in Borger and come to Texas 2 or 3 times a year. They will be here this month. I am sure if your church is interested in learning more about the work in Honduras, Marc would love to give a presentation. You can contact Terri or my email is suendon@sbcglobal.net
Keep up the good work. The Church in Childress is lucky to have you and your family.
Sue Tindall
Good thoughts Trey. God is good all the time, even when we don't understand.
I am glad to be able to comment on your blog again!
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