Not the Miracle We Hope For

This morning when we returned home from church, we received some very disturbing news from the newspaper. My husband has a best friend from his tennis playing days. Over the years, through distance, families and jobs, they lost touch, but my husband still spoke of him often. When we were just beginning to date and in the first year of our marriage, his name was a staple around our household. After our twins were born, having all of the problems that come with extreme prematurity, a lot of friends could not be found. You'd be amazed how many people are afraid or feel awkward talking during a life changing event, such as the severe illness of a child. Not to mention two children.
But this couple was anxious to see us and meet our boys, as well as to show off their new daughter. She was a few months younger than our boys but we had a lot of fun together. They named this sweet baby girl Elizabeth.
This morning in the newspaper, we read the tragic story of a 15 year old girl who had been hit and killed while crossing the street with a group of teenagers. After thinking back and doing a little research on addresses, we realized that this young girl was the beloved daughter of our old friends. You heart wells up in your throat and emotions threaten to overwhelm as you put yourself in the shoes of another mother. Then you fall on your knees and thank God that this child was not yours and that yours are safe in the comfort of your home. It is a selfish thought, I know. But give me any mother in this world who hasn't thought the same...I don't think you'll find one.
I can only hope and pray that the comfort of our Lord Jesus Christ will find this family during this difficult time. We will pray for them even though we are no longer in each others lives. The prayers that are said for those we know and love are no more or less powerful than for those we don't. I pray this family does have a personal relationship with the Lord to carry them through this time. And if they don't I pray that out of this terrible tragedy will come the renewal of faith, the new found relationship with Jesus and the deep abiding knowledge that God is in control. That even when things that happen beyond our comprehension, God is there to carry us. This may be the only way we, as human beings, can possibly survive something that tears us apart.