Love Never Fails

It's been a hard week.

There's no way to sugar coat it. Sometimes life just stinks.

Sharon, one of our dorm parents, lost her battle with cancer Friday afternoon. 

Her involvement with our community began as a student. She later returned as an employee. Always joyful, always positive. She was a person everyone enjoyed being with. I loved to sit near her during soccer or volleyball games, because she cheered loudly and often  shouted out encouragement to the athletes on both sides of the net or field. I'm not an outward shouter, but often she shouted out what I was thinking. Thanks, Sharon!

Her earthly departure has left an immense hole in our community. Her circle of influence reached past the students in her dorm. Family, friends, coworkers, students have all been touched by her life.

However, our tears of sadness are not for her.

She is healed.

She is in the presence of God.

It is for her husband and three sons that our hearts break.

Unlike most occupations, being a dorm parent is a partnership that is an extension of a healthy marriage relationship. Their home. Their work. All wrapped up together. Her husband, not only lost his wife, but the other half of his ministry, 

My heart was heavy with sadness Friday evening. 

Early Saturday, Carl received a message from Nick and Ben. They were four hours into a thirteen hour drive from Oklahoma to Ohio. They were to join Abbi and spend Thanksgiving with my mom and sister's family, but the car was experiencing transmission problems. Their current location was in the middle of no where and night was just around the corner. Should they push on or should they turn around?

Carl made the call. 

So they turned around.

My heart sunk just a little bit more.

Now, I know they are grown up boys, and are very capable of taking care of themselves, but they are still my kids. Nick had not seen Abbi or his grandparents (my mom, Carl's dad) since last Christmas. The last two Thanksgivings, Ben stayed in the dorm. Turkey potpie being his Thanksgiving meal. The frustration of driving ten hours and having no satisfaction of arriving. The worry of the cost to get it fixed.

It just makes me sad.

But, God is, and always will be in control.

He wasn't surprised, or caught off guard.

He knew.

We may not know why certain things happen, but God does. He knows the past, the present, and the future. We do not. His word promises that he works things for the good to those who love him.

God has a plan.

Just because we don't see it or understand does not mean it doesn't exist.

I remembered this as we sang this morning in church.

Higher than the mountains I face.

Stronger than the power of the grave.

Constant through the trial and change.

One thing remains.

This one thing remains.

Your love never fails, never gives up.

Never runs out on me.

Please pray for the McGill family. 

Please pray for the college MKs and international students far from their families this holiday season.

Please pray for those who do not have the hope, joy, and peace of a relationship with the Creator God through Jesus Christ, His son.

Because without him, you truly have nothing.