He Gives and Takes Away...Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

It's sad when someone you love suffers a loss, especially one like losing an unborn child. If you're a prospective grandparent, you feel the loss on one level -- a significant level. But the greatest pain is watching your children suffer while you possess a sense of helplessness.

A parent always wants to fix things for his kids; kiss it and make it feel better; put a band-aid on it. But some things are out of a parents reach. All they can do is pray and just be available if needed.

You know the kids will grow spiritually if they respond to God's offer of love and comfort -- even expand their ministry and joy for serving. But right now, in the present, these words are not needed. They already know the Word promises that "all things work together", but right now, in the night of despair and through eyes filling rapidly with tears, recitation of this verse is not profitable.

Sometimes people do not realize that a pastor is "people", too. Every pastor has experienced heartache, personal failure, and family tragedy. We have cried ourselves to sleep and barely staggered our way through the day in sadness. Every believer should know that their pastor knows exactly what it's like to have a broken heart, a pain-riddled experience, and dark days. And all the while, trying to be the strength and rock for the rest of his family, friends, and church.

This is the kind of loss you don't get over -- but you can get past it....in time.

On the way to the hospital early in the morning, around 5:00 AM, a song came on the XM station we were listening to. "He gives and takes away...Blessed be the Name of the Lord." It makes for an emotional experience when you've had such a loss. But it serves as a reminder that God is still good; He sees the big picture; He hurts when we hurt; and He will still be God long after this day is past.

If God is the same today and tomorrow as He was yesterday, then He's still in charge and we just have to trust Him on some things. I remembered that old song today: "We'll understand it better by and by." The fact is, I don't care to understand it -- I don't ask "why?" anymore. Why a tragedy occurs is not nearly as important as knowing God is still God. I can't give up on Him now -- He's come through too many times before. I'll get past this...we'll all get past this. God will heal our broken hearts yet one more time.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!!