Senseless Tragedy

Saturday morning our community experienced a senseless tragedy. An eight year old boy was playing flag football, collapsed, and died. Both of his parents work for the district. I didn't know the boy, although my son had played with him at school. I know both parents by sight, but that is all. For some reason, God has burdened my heart for this family. My tears will not stop; however, the tears I cry are not my own. They are for the family: for the loss, confusion, anger, emptiness... I will pray for them because they are hurting. Maybe they can't pray for themselves, maybe they don't even know God. I really don't know. I just know God has given me this burden and I will pray for the family. God knows what they need, I will just give it to him until he tells me it is enough.

I asked God to minister to them - through me. I always turn to writing in my pain. Hopefully it will be some small comfort to them. God - please reach down, right now, and bring comfort to this family.

If you are reading this posting - please stop right now and say a prayer for the family. Thank you.

Below is my way of connecting to the family. Pray that God uses this situation.

My heart breaks as the tears run down my face.
This pain is not my own; I share it with you.
It seems that my heartstrings have been connected to your loss.
Your pain, your tears – I cry out to God for you.

The why must be overwhelming,
the emptiness – too much to talk about,
the loneliness – too much to deal with,
the questions pouring in all lead to doubt.

Where God, are you in this tragedy?
Why God, do we have to feel this pain?
Who God, are you really?
When God, will I be able to breathe again?


Are there answers to these questions?
“He is with God,” we hear through our tears.
But that doesn’t soften the blow.
It does not help to calm our fears.

Having walked through the valley of the shadow -
when I cried out to God in the darkness,
I know I did not walk that valley alone.
Through the darkness and shadows, God held me through my anguish.

I will continue to cry out to God for you
while you walk through the valley.
I will pray for comfort on your behalf
Knowing that there is healing, that you will breathe again.

09/17/2007