Speechless

Though the title of my post is speechless, and I am at a loss for words, I do have a few things to try and articulate.

This last week was a week of sorrow and pain. On my Facebook newsfeed alone, this week I counted five different families who either lost a child or are as well in dire condition. All of them were overseas workers seeking to expand God's kingdom.

I have not personally met any of these families. S's brother and family work with two of the families. The others are friends of friends. All of them are brothers and sisters in our Family. 

It is devastating. It is confusing. It is well with my soul.  It sounds trite, and perhaps even like a pat answer to those who are in the middle of shock, grief, and anger, but Jesus said, "blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

The book I was telling you about a while ago, "Lucky" says that the translation of this should be more like, "Lucky are you who mourn, because you will be comforted."

LUCKY?!  Lucky. ugh. It feels offensive. How could we be lucky in this grief? How could we be LUCKY because we are experiencing gut-wrenching sorrow? How dare He say that we are lucky!?

It, honestly, kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It feels like there is a disconnect, that He has no idea what we are going through, or what these families are experiencing.

And then, I remember something. God does know exactly what it feels like to lose a Son. Not only that, but the death and separation that occurred, gives us the hope that this Beatitude talks about. Because Jesus died, and rose again, we have hope of the consolation that can only come from God. These families will be whole again one day. It is not a goodbye, it is a see you later (soon, even, if you can focus on the eternal :] ).

To these families: I am so very sorry. I really have been mourning with you. I really have been crying out to God for comfort for you.

To my Family: lift up these families! Pray for soft hearts. Pray that they feel the hope God offers. Pray Pray PRAY for them.

I know that this post is imperfect, I know it does little to even attempt to alleviate the sorrow and pain being felt. I do hope I have perhaps given a tiny bit of a different perspective.

in tears and prayer,
XO,
J

Soli Deo Gloria