Sometimes it’s hard not to ask questions.

Questions of God, though the book of Job would teach us that perhaps it’s not the best idea. Yet, “Faith is not the absence of doubt; it is continuing to follow Jesus in the midst of doubt.” JD Greear. I like that quote; it brings me comfort.

There have been events recently that have caused me to question, not my faith, just the unfairness of life, the big why question!

A friend who I grew up with, who was in my wedding party and whose life inspired others, recently died in a tragic accident, which was senseless and unfair. She was a wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, educator and friend. She and her husband had just retired. She had been a principal at a Christian school, a very well-loved one at that. She was so easy to love because she lived life with enthusiasm and genuine care for whoever she was with. She shone her light brightly and was an encouragement to so many people over her lifetime. Her husband is a gifted musician who sang and played piano at my wedding. The three of us met at a Christian camp when we were teens.

Last August, my friend and her husband travelled to an adjacent city to see a local theatre production and have dinner with close friends. On the way, a stolen vehicle driven by someone with a criminal record crashed into them, leaving their lives destroyed. My friend died eight days later. Her husband has spent nearly a year in rehabilitation.

Several weeks ago, the family was finally able to hold her Celebration of Life service because her husband was well enough to attend, though he was on a motorized scooter. He gave a deeply moving tribute. He never spoke with bitterness or focused on the circumstances of her death. Instead, he reflected on their beautiful life together. It was a remarkable display of grace and faith. He has lost the love of his life while also enduring devastating physical injuries. Trying to recover from severe pain while grieving a life partner is almost unimaginable.

The church where the service took place was packed with family, friends, colleagues, and students. It was a beautiful tribute to a life well lived for Jesus. Hearing my friend talk about his wife so lovingly moved me to tears.

Perhaps my friend’s death will continue to speak to others and bring someone to the saving knowledge of Christ. Will that be of comfort to the family? Perhaps. Perhaps not. This I do know: the little yellow rubber ducky, which was given out at her service because she always had all her ducks in a row, now sits on my bathroom counter. It constantly reminds me of the brevity of life.

Sometimes life is indeed hard, extremely hard. Jesus knows all about that. He endured hard, all the way to the cross. I pray that when life gets hard, we can turn our eyes to Jesus and pray for the grace and strength to see us through.

“Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely, I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You” (Job 42: 1-3,5a).

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“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55: 8,9).

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“He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

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“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

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• Suffering Devotionals
• Car Accident Devotionals
• Faith Devotionals
• Grief Devotionals