On Wednesday, August 17, the Girlfriends gathered once again to enjoy a meal together and share our journeys. As with most groups our size, not everyone can make each gathering. This was no exception. Our sister, Sarah, had a lot going on. She needed to take care of herself and her family.
The rest of us have been there…work, sick family member, house renovations, returning from vacation…and the list goes on; it is easy to understand why she couldn’t join us. This time would be Elizabeth, Miriam, Rebecca, Anna, and me, Ruth.
We are all drawn to the water and sand and with Elizabeth living at the lake, it is the perfect place for summer gatherings.
It was a beautiful afternoon with blue skies and a few high clouds, a great day for a drive to South Haven with friends. We arrived and used Elizabeth’s home as the meeting place. Earlier one of us had suggested dinner at Captain Lou’s.
Elizabeth is very familiar with the local eateries. She wasn’t sure if there would be room for a group our size. We decided to walk by and see with an alternative location in mind if there wasn’t a table. Not a problem that evening, there were plenty of tables on the deck in a narrow hall between two buildings.
We tried a couple of tables before settling down and looking at the menu. Elizabeth suggested one of the fish entrees and we all ordered. About that time our telephones started ringing. We all had a message from the church. One of our members, a young woman, mother, wife, missionary, servant of our Lord who had been fighting the good fight with cancer for three years had passed away an hour earlier.
Along with our congregation and many others, we had prayed regularly for complete healing this side of heaven. In our minds, this would have been the perfect time for a miracle. We all believed God could and would heal our dear friend.
Not. This. Time.
Why? Why not? Why now? The tone of the evening quickly changed from one of laughter and fun to one of serious need for prayers. Prayers for the husband and children left behind, prayers to help us help them, prayers to help us know what to do, prayers.
We finished our meals and walked back to Elizabeth’s home to pray. Through choked voices and tears we lifted our thoughts and petitions to the Lord. We admitted we didn’t understand. We admitted it didn’t seem fair. We admitted we know that God is in control. We asked why couldn’t this woman stay with us and continue to witness this side of heaven and make a huge difference for His kingdom. We asked a lot of things knowing that God loves us and already knows what is on our hearts.
We closed holding hands. Elizabeth suggested a walk along the Lake. It was peaceful. It was reflective. God knew we needed to be together that evening and He orchestrated for us to love on and support each other during this most difficult time.
Since this time I have dug into my Bible about death and dying. There are verses about death and dying; however, in the end that is not what I got out of all those verses.
1. God is in Control. I did review a recent Bible study on the book of Daniel where I was reminded that Daniel stayed the course, even when tempted, because he knew that God was in control. His timing is perfect. I need to remember this even when that hurts, when things seem out of control, when life doesn’t go the way I believe it should. His timing is perfect. He is in control.
2. His ways are different than our ways. Isaiah 55:8 tells us “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Even though in my eyes our friend should still be here witnessing for the Lord, God knows better. Is He saving our friend from something? Will her death bring him more glory? I trust that God has done what was best for our friend.
3. All of our days on earth are numbered. Psalm 39:4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.” No one will live forever here on earth, but believers will have eternal life in heaven.
4. We are not meant to do life alone. We need each other, especially at times such as this. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us: “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” We need each other for love and support, to point us to God and His ways, and to remind us He is in control.
Until we meet again…
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Ruth
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