a funeral

Tomorrow is the funeral for our friend's son. He was 19. He missed his 20th birthday by about two weeks. I have heard that the family is expecting about 500 people to attend. They are having dinner served after.

So many people are moved by the loss in this family. For one because they loved this boy and also because no parents should have to lose their son at 19. It is a loss that we have all felt. The bell tolls for thee.

A lot of us had our kids in school together at a small private Christian school back when our teenagers were in second and third grade. We have stayed friends through the years and have watched our kids grow. As each year passes, the next batch of them graduate from high school. Last year it was two of my friend's, this year it's mine. next year, another friend's.

We have sat together at Wednesday night church dinners and hung out and talked while the younger kids played. We have discussed schooling options and activities and services for some of our kids and our home life.

we have prayed for each other and updated each other.

facebook has been flooded with condolences.

meals are planned for weeks.

scripture is quoted and shared.

for those of us that believe and have given our lives to Christ; we know the assurance of our salvation. we know where her son is and where we will be one day too. and this is how we carry on. scripture is not just historical text or cute phrases to post on our refrigerators. It is real living words of our real and living God. He created us and gave us life, carried us, and takes us home.

This family is a model of Christ's providence. They are looking up to God and heaven even as they look down and weep.

my own life has become heavy. I look to God and cry for his mercy and encouragement. Our daughter has been saved the day that she was diagnosed but we have a heavy burden to walk with. I hand the burden back to God over and over yet it keeps coming back at different times.

As we prepare to attend this funeral we have to make arrangements for the reality of living with a diabetic child. We can't just have any babysitter, we need someone trained in dealing with diabetes to babysit. we also need to leave detailed instructions for if she suddenly drops low, goes to high, wants to eat, when to eat, what to do when she eats. if she runs. runs too much. seems tired. too tired. doctors phone numbers and our numbers.

we must trust that our daughter will be okay while we go to celebrate the life of their son.

two tragedies being carried by the same God. Two families walking a walk. Just weeks apart.

over and over, I must again refer back to Jeremiah. Not as a mantra or magical chant. But God's ordained words of reassurance. The very theme in my life right now. over and over God speaks in a comforting voice to me, reminding me, that he is a loving and protecting father that DOES have our best interest in mind.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.

As Easter approaches, I will have to write about the resurrection. Her son restored to God and our daughter saved and intervened. Physically rescued and given a new lease on life. Just as Jesus overcame his mortal, wounded body, He did, my daughter will, and someday, we will too.