September 28: Of difficult weekends, mountains and fields that sing, and trees that clap

Isaiah 54:1-57:13

Ephesians 6:1-24

Psalm 70:1-5

Proverbs 24:8

This was a tough weekend.  After an eight month long battle with cancer, during which we saw our not-even-six-year-old dog Riley go from a joyful dog filled with boundless energy to a limping, wheezing husk unable to even stand up on all fours without whimpering in pain, during which time we - our 10 year old son Thomas, in particular - had bombarded God with prayers to heal her, we finally submitted to the Truth - that it was time for Riley to go home.  And so, on Saturday, she took her last breath, the most peaceful one in the last few months.  And she went home.

We knew that it was God's will - nothing, good or bad, comes to pass without Him permitting it, after all.  But for all that, and for all my professions of faith, it was painful - painful to say goodbye to Riley, and painful to see the tears streaming from my wife and children's eyes, painful to hear their sobs.  What was I to say to Thomas who had been the most faithful in his supplication, even praying for Riley during church services and asking to bring him to our pastor for prayers, in search of a miracle?  He was heartbroken, and was blaming God, wondering why He would permit such a terrible thing as cancer.

I admit I had no words to comfort him or his siblings - none, at least, that would speed the easing of his pain at Riley's passing.  I can only hope that I do not  exasperate them and, instead, "bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."  Then one day the words from today's OT reading give them the reassurance they provided me:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts

     neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,

     so are My ways higher than your ways

     and My thoughts than your thoughts."

We may not understand - but God does, and HIs Word...and His actions including all He permits, are purposeful to Him.  And so we can rest assured that one day, despite the pain and the turmoil of the now, 

"You will go out in joy

     and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

     will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

     will clap their hands."

Dear Thomas, dear Christian and Sophia, dear Carla - I have no words to ease the pain of Riley's passing...only His reassurance that in ways we do not know today, it will have been for the best of reasons, and we will again experience His joy and peace.