Today I Am Reminded…

Today, I am reminded of divine sovereignty and grace.
Today, I am confronted with the same questions you battle with too: “Why does God not answer some prayers when we desperately are in need of divine intervention?”
Today, I am reminded of the pain my friend is currently experiencing at the loss of her mother two days ago.
We prayed. Oh we laboured in prayer, asking God to spare her life, to remove the cancer.
I specifically ‘begged’ God to do this miracle so that my friend will be moved to serve God stronger and deeper.
Oh, I prayed.

Yesterday, an email came through: “My mum passed on…”
And oh I wept!!! Did God not hear me?

But something moved me to a different kind of tears this morning. I received another email from Goodness (that’s her name) and rather than heap her ‘legitimate’ complains about God on me, rather than ask “But why did God allow my mother to die!”, rather than question God’s sovereignty, here’s rather what she said to me:

“God I thank you. It was on this 25th that my mum passed on. I know you were sent to encourage me. I thank God for you; through everything you have passed through, you have learnt to trust Him the more to encourage others. I’m blessed.”

I believe she was refering to my blog post “The Darkness Will Lift…”. While on my sick bed writing those words, she was mourning her mother. I knew God wanted me to blog those words but I resisted. I almost refused to write. But I found the courage, despite my pain, to pen those words.
I don’t know how old Goodness is but I suspect she’s young, possibly in her late teens. Are you wondering how I don’t know my friend’s age? You see, God brings certain people into your life for a purpose; some via Twitter and others (like Goodness) on Facebook and WordPress. What we do with those friendships and relationships matter much to God. That’s a topic for another day. But seriously, what would make a youngster speak with so much grace? Yes, GRACE…hmm.

In my response to her this morning, I wrote with a heavy heart:
“My Dear Friend Goodness,
Hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, we wept together at the news of your mum’s passing. We are together in this battle for joy. We did pray and we did plead with God but He knows best the way that we take. I am rest assured that He knows best and your mother is resting in the Lord’s peace.
I bid you be strong and rest your hope in God. We already love you more than you know.”

I cannot guarantee those words will be enough succour for the pain she feels right now.
I cannot guarantee those words will heal the pain or give the much needed strength for the journey ahead of her.
But this much I know, today she inspired me in her pain and brought about sweet and bitter tears of joy to my heart and eyes. I have learnt (once again) that the glory of God often shines brighter in pain and suffering than in abundance. Today, I am reminded…

I celebrate your courage in pain my dearest friend, Goodness! This is to you!!! We mourn with you today. We stand with you today. And we will leap for joy together tomorrow. I am persuaded that you will serve God stronger. Your mother was a strong woman; you are a genuine evidence of that strength. She fought very hard. She will be proud of you as we are today.
We love you and are praying for you. I hope to meet you someday, God willing.

“…Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
(Psalm 30:5 ESV)

If you’d like to share a few words of encouragement to Goodness, please post your comments here. I believe they would go a long way to strengthen her faith in Christ and assure her heart. She will read them…that much I can promise you. God bless you all.