Acts 4:1-12
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
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Dear friends in Christ,
Benjamin is two weeks old today, doing well and cleared from any further doctor visits. Praise God! But where did the time go? This week seems to have just flown by. Several have made remarks about how I got through holy week with a newborn... it was just one thing at a time bouncing from one service to the next it seemed. And yet the days since seem like more of a blur in many ways. A blessing for sure, but a blur. He has already changed so much.
Thursday there was a fatal accident on 53rd St & Indian Hills. A young mother was killed, and we mourn this terrible loss. It really rattled me. It was close to our home. She was known to members of our congregation, and Leah's school. She had recently had a child, and so have we. We drive this road daily. In the wake of such a tragedy we often ask why this happened, and wonder how could God have allowed it? Why didn't he intervene? I don't know, or have any answers, though I wish I did. This is part of the hidden will of God, and in these difficult times we must stick to what we know and remind one another of God's promises.
God has promised to work all things, even the terrible awful things for the good of those who love him - even this. Though we know not how. God has promised us that he will never leave us or forsake us. He loves us and has shown that by sending his Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He has promised to be among us with his gifts whenever two or three are gathered in his name. God has also promised to prepare a place for us, and to take us to be with him. I sure do hope this young mom knew her Savior. And while I don't know that; what I do know is that her Savior and ours knew her, and loved her and her family and friends, just as he loves all of us. His desire is to gather us to himself that we may know him, repent of our sins and be forgiven and have life in his name.
This loss is a reminder that all our days are a gift from God and are ultimately in his hand. Our Lord knows our sufferings, and he cares for us. It is a reminder of how quickly life could change for any one of us, and yet God does not change. His love for us is constant and his promises are always trustworthy and true.
As you count your blessings this week and thank God for all of it, even your sufferings, lift up all those who struggle and those who mourn. Lift up this dear family, and your own. Pray for your Pastor and his family. Make your wants and requests known to God. He loves to hear it and your neighbor needs it.
The Lord be with you all,
Pastor DeHope
