If I were to rank yesterday on a scale of 1 to 10, I don’t think it would even reach the scale to be measured. To say the news we got yesterday was not good would be an understatement.
Within a matter of about three minutes, I received bad news about three people close to us.
We received news of a friend of ours being shot to death in his home country in Central America.
My Aunt who has been battling lung cancer for a couple of years has a new infection in her body – this coming just after she got rid of the pneumonia that she had for a month and a half.
And I still haven’t had the heart to tell Sharon that I received news that one of our good friends found out he has bone cancer.
With regard to my aunt and our other friend with cancer, even though situations like this are never easy, I can understand that over time the body breaks down and things like this happen. This doesn’t make me feel any better about the situation but at least you can rationalize it. There is something you can do about it. There are medical treatments that give you a chance. You still have some time.
But what about a guy in his late forties minding his own business, happy to be back home to visit his family, getting shot to death the day he arrives. The suddenness of it is shocking.
I didn’t know Melvin long. Sharon knew him much longer than I did. But he was the type of man that would do anything for you. He was always happy and his laugh was infectious. He was just one of the nicest guys you would want to meet and I can tell what kind of man he was from meeting his son. His son is one of the most respectful, hard working young men I know – a trait instilled by good parents.
Why would God take Melvin now?
We will never understand the way God works. The only solace is that this must all be part of God’s plan.
God takes people when it is their time to go.
We are sad when we know we will never see our friends again. Even though it is difficult to do, we should be happy for these people since they will be now spending the rest of their time with God.
But how do we get over our sadness?
Matthew 5:4 tells us: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew is telling us that it is we, the people that live and mourn, that need to be and will be comforted. Why is it that we should be comforted just by Matthew’s words? Our faith in God and the fact that this is his plan is the main reason. But this is based on faith. Is there anything other than just having faith in Matthew’s words that provides comfort?
Our true comfort comes from Luke who recounts Jesus’ words to the man who was being crucified next to him.
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 42-43
This is the true source of our comfort: knowing that upon our death we will be with God in paradise.
Melvin, my friend, enjoy your stay with God – we will miss you.
i found this wesite on face book and i have enjoy in thanks you and keep up the good work you are doing here on face book my god bless you and yours
I just read *Grieving for a friend” “Dealing with Loss”
I must say that I am still grieving for my daddy in Heaven! I know it is selfish of me because I wish he was still here. But I know that he is in Heaven with our Lord now with no more pain or suffering. But I miss him terribly!! As God is my witness I prayed to God to take my daddy when they called the family in when my daddy was in the hospital. But I also prayed to God to wait before he took him so I could see him one last time before he passed away. God heard my prayers and he waited till I got to Florida. I live in TN. Actually he lived for 3 days after I got there, he knew I was there for one day. After that he never woke back up. He said that he didn’t want to die in a hospital he wanted to die in his recliner. They say that when someone is about to die they will hold on for a reason. My daddy held on till I got there n he was put in his recliner. I got down to Fla on Monday Dec. 15th 2008. I went to the hospital to see my daddy. I cried my eyes out of course he didn’t see me cry. I love my daddy so very much but I didn’t want him to see me cry. It was so hard to see him like that and to know that it wouldn’t be long before God took him home to be with him. It was comforting to know this but the selfish side of me didn’t want him to go. I didn’t like seeing him suffering like he was. But I just didn’t want him to go cuz I loved him so n couldn’t imagine life without him. He came home Dec. 18th and was put in his recliner. My sister and I took care of him like we was taught to do then I went to my other sisters house that nite.
The next morning about 7am I jerked up in the bed like somethang had woke me up. It was so weird. I got up to go outside to smoke and less them 5 mins later the phone rang. My sister came to me and told me that daddy passed away within the last 15 mins. I understood then why I was woken up with a jerk. It was like God waking me up to let me know that he took my daddy to heaven to be with him. We all understand what daddy was holding onto….he wanted to die in his recliner so his wish came true. He passed away in his recliner. I was only 5 mins away from my mom and dads house. I got dressed and went over there, Mom said “he looks good, go see him” Oh my gosh I can’t even explain what I was feeling at that time. My favorite saying is, “It’s all good” That is all I could say while I kneeled down beside my daddy and laid my head on his chest and held his hand. It’s all good daddy, it’s all good daddy, it’ all good daddy is all I kept saying while I cried my eyes out. But I also Thanked God for waiting till I was down there and for waiting till daddy was put in his recliner. I think my daddy passing away was the hardest thang I have ever lived through.
I am sorry I am just suppose to leave a comment. But I am still grieving over my daddy even to this day. I am 52 yrs old and my daddy was 75 yrs old when he passed away. It is so very hard to not hear his voice or to hear him say I love you baby!! I didn’t see him but once a year because I live in TN but lived in KY for many yrs. Thank you for listening I think it helped me by getting this off my chest. I live alone my son lives in KY and my family lives in Florida. So there are times where I feel so alone but I talk to my daddy all the time. And someday soon I will see him again in Heaven with my other father. Our Lord and Savior. Thank you……God bless and I really enjoy reading and getting “The Whisper of GOD” Thank you and God bless.
Oh one last thang. My daddy passed away December 19, 2008. R.I.P. My Daddy in Heaven! I love and miss you dearly. Since then my Uncle Tony passed away just a week ago. I know what my Aunt and cousins are going through. It is so hard to lose a loved one. But with time and alot of prayer and Strength from God it does get a little easier. Thank you again for listening. Sorry for the “BOOK” and your lucky I didn’t type more…..lol Thank you…..God Bless you and keep you safe and Healthy. *smile*
We lost my brother, last August, in a drowning accident. He was a generous, loving man. A grade school teacher and baseball coach to many. Over 800 people attended services to pay their respects. A scholarship fund has been set up in his name and also a Facebook Memorial page with over 960 members.
I still think of him every day and know in my heart that he is with the Father.
He lived his life helping others not only by teaching and coaching but had just become a Third Knight with the Knights of Columbus.
You will forever be with us, Dennis, in spirit, until we meet again.
This site really helps with the sadness I have had with my husband Gary leaving us and going Home. But I know that he is well now he dealt with lung cancer and several other ailments over the last 10 years. I am so happy that he is at peace now which gives me more solace and comfort now. Thank you again.
Humm good to read the stories….. I have gone through many types of loss in my life… I lost 3 brothers growing up ,my father, uncle, and some friends. recently my very close friend committed sucide and I found him,,, I was never clear if he had that personal relationship with Jesus….though he lived as though. He was a very caring loving person, and strange thing he was always happy…well appeared to be??? the night I found him :while he was in the hospital I had the pastor pray for him.
Its difficult to see or understand why he did this … its a total different grief??? One of not understanding ,one of anger toward him for doing it, and that of shear saddness, confusion and loss!!! I never have ever asked God “Why” before but in this situation I have to ask ???? I don’t understand???
Rebecca
I too have had to deal with suicide – not sure why – but some day we will understand.
Words to an old song I would like to share with you:
We will talk it over in the by and by
We will talk it over my Lord and I
I will ask the reason – He will tell me why
When we talk it over in the by and by.
These departures of our loved ones is always a very slow deep valley. We will never understand God’s timing and purposes in full – at best we sometimes get a glimpse into His sovereign hand of love. I lost an infant daughter many years ago – she died in my arms – and now looking back I just humbly understand He has His ways and usually they are issues of the heart which we cannot see with human eyes. It is above our finding out ? The Master Physician knows what He is doing !
Sometimes He will give at your prayer request an eternal glimpse through spiritual eyes of some redeeming work He has wrought. Nevertheless, this is never guaranteed to us on this side. We are feeling in the dark many times without understnding of the whys? and it requires a faith in Him through grace alone.
One thing is for sure as I get older – more and more are being added on the otherside ” As Time Goes By ” so to speak. So I do look forward (in awe) to seeing my Lord Jesus as a Lamb slain – but I also look forward to seeing my daughter , my father , my sisters , and many missed friends in glorious paradise.
Maybe its all as simple as: This is not our final home, and we continue to look more and more toward heaven in this life by the deaths we suffer. We are His beautiful bride and He (Jesus) longs for us also; as a husband usually does long for his bride. One by one we are making our departure. No one escapes the door to eternal life called death.
Make Jesus your Savior today !
My younger sister Becky passed away Aug. 9th after a 10 month battle with brain cancer. She was 55. Her husband and children, myself, and other family members helped to take care of her at home the best that we were able w/hospice. My prayer to God was that she wouldn’t suffer long and that her family be with her when she left this earth. God is good, it was an early Monday morning around 3 a.m. but we were all with her, knowing her time had come. We all got to be with her and tell her we loved her and would forever miss her. Just as she was fading, the song “I can only Imagine” began playing on their compter. Gods timing is perfect. I dearly miss my sweet baby sister.
My dad passed away on Easter of this year, he was 99 and missed my mother who had passed away the previous year. They had been married for 73 years and even though I miss both of them terribly I know they are together and he is happy again to be with his beloved wife. My brother passed away a couple of months after my mother so they are all together. I am grateful to God that I was able to live w/them and help them the last few years of their life here on earth.
My mom pass away 2 weeks ago her birthday was November 6th and her death was Nov 30th it took a tole on us i miss her dearly i know she’s heaven with our LORD in Savior.
YEA I LOST MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE ON 07/07.06 IN A DROWNING ACCIDENT I STILL LOVE HER AND MISS HER SO MUCH I STILL HAVENT MADE MY PEACE WITH GOD YET AND THEN IN JULY MY GRANDSON DYLAN WAS MURDERED BEAT TO DEATH OVER A 2 WEEK PERIOD BY HIS GRANDMOTHER BOYFIEND SO I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO LOSE SOMEONE LOSE A SISTER PARENTS WIFE GRANDSON SO I KNOW