Saturday, July 19, 2014

In Honor of Karla



Within the past 2 weeks, I have had to struggle with my friend’s sudden death.  According to how I think, she should not have died so young.  She should have lived to old age; to see her grandchildren grow up.  She should have taken that trip to Hawaii to await the arrival of her newest granddaughter.  This isn’t the way it should be; that’s how I think.


In my grief, the Lord gave me a visual- a canvas painting of her life.  The only problem was, I could only see one very small section of that picture illuminated; the rest was dark to me- I could not see it.  God sees the whole, I cannot.  Therefore, I don’t understand the why, the purpose for her sudden departure.  Maybe if I could see it all, I would understand but for some reason God chooses to let me see only one small part.

I rejoice that she is with the Lord.  She is free of pain and the physical frustrations she suffered.  She kept her trust in God through it all- refusing to give in to self-pity and despair.  I rejoice for her but the pain of her leaving is tough.  The “whys” remain unanswered; I choose to trust a loving God who painted her canvas.

I can grieve with hope because I know someday I will see my friend again.


Suddenly you left...
we grieve in hope but for those
left behind...sorrow