I did not know this family until Sunday night. I did not know how much their story would touch my life. But, they are family to me. Because they are Faulkner grads, and they are members of the church. They are family to me.
Traveling home after visiting family over Thanksgiving, they were involved in a horrific car crash that claimed the life of their daughter, Helen. She would have turned 3 on Dec. 23rd. Brian had only minor injuries, but Kristy's back was broken in 4 places, and may never walk again.
It is numbing to me how quickly your life of normalcy can change. Right down to the very dynamics of your family. And, then the questions come - how could God allow this to happen?
Reason one: any tragedy, for me, goes back to the fact that we live in an imperfect world. From blown tires, to birds flying into airplanes, birth defects, cancer in the young (or anyone, for that). This world was perfect until Adam and Eve sinned, bringing imperfection and free will. Hence, the second reason:
God gave us free will. Free will to do whatever we choose. It is beyond our control what others choose to do. Like, drunk driving or taking a gun and killing innocent people, for instance. Sin will forever be a part of this world.
I guess in a very broad scheme, God's will is occurring here. But, I can't believe that God just took that baby from her family. But, yes, God allowed to happen. He never promised that any of us would be without pain. Yet, He does promise that He will faithfully strengthen those who follow Him.
It all comes down to trusting in God. Trusting that God doesn't make mistakes, but he does withhold. Trusting that God will strengthen you to get through the fire of your circumstances. Trusting that God loves you and will continually care for you. And, you may never know the "why" - but that you will trust in God despite that.
Let God use you to strengthen them! Brian and Kristy need your prayers. There is a link button on the right that goes to their facebook page. Donations are needed for funeral and hospital expenses. Finances need to be their last concern at this time. Even a small amount will go a long way - if everyone contributes.
Heaven got a little sweeter on Sunday...
5 comments:
I loved this! loved the way you ended it ~ They continue to inspire me and I continue to pray fervently for them.
Kristi..you have written the words I have needed to hear. I kept thinking about Kristy and her family....wondering, questioning, asking. Thank you for giving me the answers that I needed to be reminded of.
Beautifully written, Kristi. My heart just aches for this family & they are definitely in our prayers.
Kristi, thank you so much for posting this. As a father who buried his first child two 2 1/2 years ago, statements like yours is what got Teale and I through. "It was God's will" is a very dangerous statement to make and I think you illustrated that perfectly. If we aren't careful, telling someone that will just as quickly turn them away from the gospel as it will bring them closer to it. Times such as these are so emotional and if we aren't careful we turn into Job's friends and try to tell those suffering why this has happened to them. Quite honestly this does more harm than good and I believe we have proof of that in the book of Job. This went a lot long than I intended. I just wanted to say thank you because Kristy was and is such a great and close friend of mine.
Kristy is my sister in law and I thank each of you that are praying for them and our family. Your words were expressed from your heart and I thank you! Kristy is a strong and amazing person and her strength amazes me everyday. Brian has been her rock and a huge comforter for her during this time. They trust in God everyday and know that he is in control! Thank you!
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