This week has vanished. It has been a sad week around our community. Two separate car accidents have claimed four young lives. On Sunday afternoon, what was supposed to be a family-fun outing at a volleyball game, turned into tragedy. An elderly woman went through a stop sign and t-boned a car. Daniel Hordyk, the 21 year old driver along with 15 year old Christina Bosman and 2 month old Chloe Bosman were killed. Sarah Bosman, Chloe's dear mother and David Bosman, her brother in law, were seriously injured. Then, in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, more sad news transpired. Garion Fowler, a sweet 19 year old young man from our church, was on his way to work. People can only speculate what happened next as Garion side swiped a dumptruck. He was killed instantly.
We ask why these things happen and we consider and contemplate. Prayers come fast and furious but seemingly without answers. Because our logical and finite minds cry out for answers, we sometimes get frustrated and even angry. Then we remind ourselves God is in control. He does not wish for His children to suffer and perish. He only allows it to happen because we live in a fallen world made up of choices and consequences and free will and death. All of us are doomed to leave this earthly state one day. Some deaths seem so untimely in our books, though. And that is the sad part. These young lives that were lost seemed so full of potential and hope and joy.
A baby dies. A baby just a little younger than Jocelyn, my granddaughter. I can barely fathom the sadness of the family. But God has called all these young ones home. They are in the presence of Jesus and are savouring eternity. The faith of all of the grieving families is strong and unwaivering. No, it does not make it easier to lose a child because you are a Christian, but the measure of comfort these families are finding in Jesus helps ease the burden. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
The journey for friends and relatives of the Hordyk, Bosman and Fowler families is going to be a long one. Does anyone get over losing a child? Once the visitations and the funerals are over and everyone goes home, this is bound to be a difficult time for them. The grieving will intensify.
I hope that if you are reading this post, you will be moved to pray with me as we think of the tragedy and the brevity of life. When Jesus left this world, he prophesied that there would be sorrow and pain when He said He would not leave us comfortless. The Holy Spirit hears and knows and although the concept can be difficult to understand for some, the Triune God reigns and responds to those who call out to Him.
I can understand the sense of loss. My next door neighbour nursed her 24 year old son in their apartment after a car accident. He was in a coma (he never regained consciousness) and since the hospital was no longer able to help him, they sent him home (there are no long-term care facilities here). They (and I) watched him die over a period of 13 months. Two weeks after Braulio died, we lost another young man of 19, from the church, in a car accident. It does get you thinking about how close eternity is for all of us and how prepared we all need to be.
ReplyDeleteThank, Glynis. May God meet all those needs.
Glynis, how heart-rending these events! They sure help put the everyday concerns of life into perspective. May we treasure each day we have with the ones we love.
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