thoughts on the news of the day: cruelty

hmmm…..

            A couple in our church have gone down to Texas to be with their daughter who is dying of a particularly vicious form of cancer.  She is in her early fifties, married but no children and has no real church home or spiritual support system. 

            Email is the only immediate way of communicating with these church members.  It is just too hard on them to talk on the phone; besides they are in a remote location so cell service is spotty.  Saying it is hard is not even close to what they are going through.

            What does a pastor say in a situation like this?  I try to be a positive person and looking on the bright side of things is an important part of my ministry.  But there is no real positive side to this.  It would be cruel to say something like “At least she is not suffering.” Or, “Don’t give up yet, God performs miracles every day.”  The patient is not going to get any better.  Saying “She will be in heaven soon” just doesn’t comfort someone who is losing a loved one for this side of forever.

            So I reminded them that they are not alone.  Their church family is there in spirit even though we can’t physically be there.  And God is with them.  God is always with us.  Through the most cruel of circumstances, God is there, holding us in the palm of a big, comforting and forgiving hand. 

            Saying that won’t be enough.  But it might help

            hmmm…..