All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Yesterday I heard tragic news that a dear family friend of mine passed away. He was young, in his early 30s, someone I have known my entire life.
I went into shock. I had to re-read the text from my mom again, and again, and again...as if my brain couldn't fully articulate those words. Tragic news. He passed away today. What?? How?? Why?? What??
Immediately my mind flashed to his mom, his dad, his sisters...and thinking of them, how they must be feeling right now in the wake of this tragedy...broke my heart. These are people who I love and treasure, people I grew up with, people who are my friends, my roots, my family. Their son, their brother - gone.
What do we do now?? What do we do in the face of tragic death. I don't know what to think. What to say. How do I go about my day sitting over here at a hotel cafe in Osaka, Japan...thousands of miles away from my loved ones who are in pain? Who are in shock? Who are suffering?
Lord, help us.
Jesus is our source of all comfort.
And in this time of tragedy and heartbreak, I cling to Him.
There is no other answer.