Hi Friends,
We've been told that copyright restrictions are precluding some from seeing the music video I made in honor of Micah on this, the second anniversary of his homegoing.
If you wanted to view the video and had trouble viewing it, here is a link to the video without music, which was "Blessed be the Name" by Matt Redman. Thanks, friends, for your continued prayers and support.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
No Words
Following Micah's death, we greatly benefitted from the care and concern of all our friends and family members. Without exception, we were knew that we were cared for by everyone who reached out to us, whether by word or by deed. Some friends and family members felt compelled to try to say something. Certainly, some words were more encouraging and hope-filled than others. But now, nearly 2 years later, I am still appreciative of the honesty exhibited by those friends and family members who, in wanting to empathize with our grief, apologized for failing to find any words to say to us.
In the nearly two years since Micah’s sudden death, Heather and I have corresponded with a number of other grieving parents. Even though I have experienced the death of a child first hand, I find that I am similarly at a loss for words when trying to comfort grieving parents. Ironically, even as I continue to write and post this and various other blog entries, and write letters and emails to other grieving parents, I can honestly say that words are not enough. Even if I could write like Dickens or Shakespeare, no set of words strung together would ever be enough. No words can assuage the sorrow of a grieving parent.
In the eighth chapter of Romans, Paul emphasizes that even in the midst of the great trials in our lives, when the sufferings are beyond anything we can handle or even be able to describe in words, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf to God. Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Even though words are not enough, God is enough. When we pray for the grieving parents, the Spirit is able to go to the Father on our behalf for the needs of the parents. The very same God who knows what the parents need can, through the Holy Spirit, help us pray. I think the best we can do is seek God’s help, in prayer, for the comfort of our grieving family and friends, and to let these parents know what we are doing.
I told one parent recently:
“I don’t have any words to use right now to express how sorry I am for the loss of your child. You are experiencing a level of pain and loss that most people can't imagine and will never experience. I don’t know what to say other than I am so sorry. But please know that I am praying for you, that God would bring you and your family comfort.”
In the nearly two years since Micah’s sudden death, Heather and I have corresponded with a number of other grieving parents. Even though I have experienced the death of a child first hand, I find that I am similarly at a loss for words when trying to comfort grieving parents. Ironically, even as I continue to write and post this and various other blog entries, and write letters and emails to other grieving parents, I can honestly say that words are not enough. Even if I could write like Dickens or Shakespeare, no set of words strung together would ever be enough. No words can assuage the sorrow of a grieving parent.
In the eighth chapter of Romans, Paul emphasizes that even in the midst of the great trials in our lives, when the sufferings are beyond anything we can handle or even be able to describe in words, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf to God. Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Even though words are not enough, God is enough. When we pray for the grieving parents, the Spirit is able to go to the Father on our behalf for the needs of the parents. The very same God who knows what the parents need can, through the Holy Spirit, help us pray. I think the best we can do is seek God’s help, in prayer, for the comfort of our grieving family and friends, and to let these parents know what we are doing.
I told one parent recently:
“I don’t have any words to use right now to express how sorry I am for the loss of your child. You are experiencing a level of pain and loss that most people can't imagine and will never experience. I don’t know what to say other than I am so sorry. But please know that I am praying for you, that God would bring you and your family comfort.”
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