Someday

Can I go on record and state what we all know is true, yet, can't seem to fathom just how true is this reality... time is FLYING!!

I wanted to start this post with a reference to a previous post and either time is cruising or age is catching up... I can't remember if what I wanted to reference was last week or 4 weeks ago. It's going to drive me nuts. So... "recently", we talked on a #deaconThursday about how deacons and church personnel are the face of the church in many respects, sometimes more than a pastor. Office staff and admins are on the other of end of one's call for help. A deacon's influence and position can be strategic in a church's community relations. Together they look for opportunities to take church to the community as well as bring the community to church.

This often happens, at the expense of their own personal lives and needs; just as it does for pastors and other ministry leadership positions.

Case in point... friends of mine from a previous church. He has served on the board. She is a church admin. Their son and his wife are coming up on 5 years of marriage in a few months. Late last week, via social media, she updated the situation on her daughter-in-law's pregnancy. 24 weeks in and she was in the hospital; doctors attempting to delay a premature delivery.

However things worked out, come this past Sunday, this little guy was born via C-section.

A whopping one and half pounds.

And while I'd love you tell you this trooper is in good shape, sadly, my friends' meme says it all.

John 13:7.
Jesus replied, "You don't understand what I'm doing now, but someday you will."

No words were spoken and four days later, my heart still breaks just thinking about their circumstance; but I can't get over the fact that for 12 hours on Sunday, God had a purpose for that baby boy being born. In his 12 hours on this earth, he made in impact on peoples' lives and in their faith; in their perspective to living and how they approach each and every day that will never be forgotten.

12 hours was all it took.

Ranks right up with 12 disciples to change the world... that's all it took.

I can't fathom this loss. On a number of occasions in recent years, I've wondered what would happen if I tragically lost my wife, or one or both of my daughters... heaven forbid all at the same time. I've cried just thinking about it.

Actually living it boggles my mind. Indeed, it now boggles their lives.

Yet, time marches on. Though the healing process will take time, other needs, other issues will arise and garner their attention. Ministry issues and opportunities to minister will need tending and in the sovereignty of God, this piece of their lives will be used for His glory in the advancement of the kingdom of Heaven.

For the moment, it's an "in-your-face" life changing event. As time continues to fly, the experience will become a part of the story that God uses to transform the lives of those who hear it. Which requires first, hearing other's stories. It's not easy now, for sure. It may never be. It probably won't be for a while. For that and more, there is grace. And the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

On this #deaconThursday, would you join me in prayer; using the specific loss of this family as inspiration to pray over those in ministry who set their own struggles and losses aside to help others. Pray God would give rest to their weariness and comfort to their mourning. Pray His peace for their unrest; calm in the midst of the storm. Pray for healing, both physical and emotional in this time of unfathomable pain. May the body of Christ surround them with love and support as we are called to do; to intercede and stand in the gap... bringing those in need to the throne of grace.

Beauty from ashes.
Joy from mourning.
Provision for our loss.
Protection and strength in exchange for vulnerability and weakness.
Trusting in God, despite what we don't understand.
Our lives for His purpose and His glory.
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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