Hope Abides

For all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts; but the word of the Lord remains forever (1 Pt. 1:24-25).

Last week, there was a terrible automobile accident on the main street in my town that took the lives of four young people, and the unborn child of one. The father of the unborn child, who was also a passenger in the car, is still hospitalized in critical condition. Three of the young people who perished were siblings. Having buried two granddaughters, I can empathize with the families, although it is hard to get my head around the idea of losing all of your children at the same time. Our community will never forget this terrible tragedy – nor should we. It was heartening to see so many citizens gather for a vigil at the accident site, to come together and put aside differences to pray for and remember those whose lives were cut so tragically short.

The horrific images we saw on the local news that night have given me pause and caused me to reflect on just how fragile this life of ours is, and how ultimately it is not really ours. St. Paul reminds us that none of us lives as his own master, and no one dies as his own master. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's (Rom. 14:7-8).

I’ve found myself holding my husband more tightly than I did before, and making sure to tell my family and friends that I love them whenever we speak. I would encourage all of you to do the same. We have our loved ones with us for such a short time, and how awful it would be if our last words to them were anything but edifying.

My prayer for the families and friends of the young people I spoke of earlier is that, in the midst of their grief, they will find the light of hope, the kind of hope that does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Rom. 5:5). Healing from such a loss as this is never easy. Without God, I am convinced it is impossible. I don’t know what He has in store for these families or for the larger community. But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope: The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, His mercies are not spent; they are renewed each morning, so great is His faithfulness. My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. (Lam. 3:22-24).

Oh yes, and one more thing: I love you all!

Prayer Request: For all those grieving the loss of loved ones.

Prayer: O Lord, our God, You have promised to be with us always, until the end of the world. We trust in Your abiding presence even in the midst of the evil that is all around us. We beg Your infinite mercy on those who have died. Grant comfort to those who mourn them, and help us who remain to prepare ourselves well, so that we are ready whenever You call us to come home to You. We make this prayer through Him who is our Hope, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.