Loss

Today my heart is heavy for my young friend Tori. Earlier, in the wee hours of the morning, the sun set on her daddy's life. He had been battling an autoimmune disorder, and the Methotrexate they gave him weakened his immune system to nothing and he contracted an opportunistic infection called PCP. This is a type of fungal pneumonia that usually kills people with no immune system. He had been unconscious for some time and had been on life support. Tori has been a trooper. She has been at his side this entire time. She has been faithful to the Lord, lifting her daddy up in prayer daily, and probably even hourly in these last weeks. Hoping every day that God would heal him and that it would all turn around. But the damage to his body was already so severe that God thought it best to shorten his suffering and call him home.

It is so hard to understand why some must loose so much at such a young age. See, young Tori had already lost her mom when she was but 4 years old. Some would ask why God would not send a miracle to heal him. And the answer is simple. The time of miracles ended at the end of the first century, when the revelation that is now the New Testament was complete. The purpose of the miracles was to confirm the word of God. (1Cor 13:10) But God still works in our lives, through his providence. He uses people and opportunities, and circumstances to care for us, without the suspension of any natural laws. He put the world in order and laws do govern it. And He is a just God and no respector of persons, which is a fancy way of saying that he does not play favorites. If he started suspending natural laws here and there for folks, he would have to do it for everyone and our natural laws would no longer be predictable.

In his infinite wisdom He called Chris back home. And I know that even though Tori will now have to enter her adult life without her parents, God will send her friends, spiritual brothers and sisters, and "adopted moms and dads" to help fill the gap. Of course, no one could ever take the place of her mommy and daddy, but we can certainly love her and encourage her and be there for her. This is one of the roles of the church. We are a spiritual family and we love and support each other as much, if not more, than a blood family. In a way, we are a blood family. We all have been bought by the blood of Christ.

Tori, God is there with you every step of the way. Trust Him even when you can't seem to understand his purpose. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Prov 3:5-6