A week ago, there was a tragic car accident involving five students at my daughter’s university. Three of them passed away at the scene. Two are still hospitalized. They were sophomores; 19 or 20 years old. Five young men who we would say, “had their whole lives ahead of them.” Three of those lives ended on that country road. And the lives of their families, the two men who survived, friends, students, staff, faculty are forever changed.
When I got the email from the University President, I cried. I cried from a mama’s heart for the parents who are facing a grief I cannot wrap my head around. And I cannot let my mind “go there” for fear it would cripple me. I cried for the survivors and the emotional and physical pain they are facing in their recoveries and for their families. Families who are grateful to be able to hold their sons yet may feel erroneous guilt for that gratitude.
The details of the accident are irrelevant. The inappropriate questions people pose aren’t important. The armchair detectives who pass judgement rather than share compassion don’t matter. The truth is tragedies like this leave many asking, “Why?” Or “How?” Why would God allow this to happen? How can I believe in a God who allows such pain? How can God help me now?
God was the original grieving parent. The events that transpired on that country road a week ago were not planned by those young men. They didn’t know that that drive would be the last for three of them. Their parents didn’t know that the last time they spoke would be the last time they spoke. They didn’t know that until eternity, they wouldn’t hold their sons again.
But God did. And He understands.
I know this isn’t a “feel good” blog. And I am not minimizing the monumental, life-changing loss that is being felt by those closest to these men. I just want you to understand that the God that created you, that breathed life into your lungs, chose to give his son over to death so that we might live. Not live on this earth – but live in eternity with Him and those who have left before us.
In times like this, our Father – our daddy – is grieving with us. He knows the pain of losing a child. He knows the depth of grief and anguish washing over the hearts of those suffering great loss. He chose to know so that in that sacrifice of Jesus, He might comfort the brokenhearted with an incomprehensible love that is far greater than incomprehensible grief.
Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenheartedand saves those who are crushed in spirit.” The Hebrew word for brokenhearted is šābar, which means to break, destroy, crush. It doesn’t mean sad, lonely, hurt. Our Father is close to you when your world is crushed under the weight of grief, disappointment, injury, injustice. When your spirit cannot fathom how it will go on. Where its next breath will come from. Jesus is carrying you. He is breathing for you.
When the diagnosis is uncertain or devastating, Holy Spirit will rise up and cry out to the Father when you cannot find the words.
The word for save in this passage is translated as to be rescued, delivered, to bring victory. In times of earthly tragedy, when it seems so unfair, when there is no tidy worldly explanation, we find deliverance in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The grief of the Father paves the way for our healing. The blood of Jesus is the only balm that will heal the brokenhearted. Our deliverance comes through the sacrifice of the first parent.
There are no words that I can utter to ease the pain of those touched by last week’s accident. My prayers are the most powerful weapon I have to support these individuals. I don’t know them personally, but they are my brothers and sisters in Christ, and as such I grieve with them.
My sweet friends, I ask you to pray with me for these families. I pray that they would know the loving comfort of a Father who understands them. A Father who seeks to deliver them. A Father who heals. A Father who welcomed three sons home in victory on a country road. A Father that promises a reunion like no other.
When there are no words…there is always God.
Please be in prayer this week for the families of these five men and those who love them.
My heart is breaking for these families & pray that God brings them comfort during this most difficult time💞💞🙏🏼🙏🏼