I don’t know what it is this summer, but it’s been full of weddings and funerals. The wedding part was expected. The funerals, not so much.
Over the last couple months, nine (9!) loved ones of people I know have died. They have either been spouses, parents or children of my friends, coworkers or people at church. And quite a few of them battled cancer in their last days. It’s gotten to the point where I’ll hear the news and I’ll think “Oh no, not another one…” And although it’s no laughing matter, a small part inside of me wants to laugh for the sheer absurdity of so many deaths in frequent succession.
It makes me feel helpless. It feels like every other night, Tim and I are praying for someone else who’s losing or lost someone dear. It makes me wonder when death will come to our doorstep.
And yet, I am discovering that God is stronger than death. As I allow myself to fall deep into His embrace, I find I am no longer afraid of what life might throw at me. I look at nature and see that even among the forests, there are dead branches mixed in with the live ones. And somehow, life always wins. Suffering is part of being human on this side of eternity. But I have hope in a God who is able and who will redeem it all.