If an image is worth a thousand words. . .

Yesterday, I got a wakeup call about what's really important in life. Henderson County Constable Rick Stewart came to my office to let me know about Danielle, a single young lady who was about to have a baby boy. She went in for a scheduled C-section, something I'm sure they do hundreds of every day. Something went wrong, however, and Danielle passed away. The baby is fine - but motherless. I visited with some of the family late yesterday afternoon, and seeing their grief is the part of pastoring that hurts me the most. For someone who's supposed to always have appropriate words at the right time, there are no words to salve sorrow so powerful.

To reinforce that thought, this morning I got to my email and found this image:

Mrs. Katherine Cathey, spending one last night with her Marine husband, 2nd Lt. James Cathey, killed in Iraq during his first month there. Although you can't tell it from this picture, she's expecting. Shortly after the funeral, she gave birth to James Cathey, Jr., in December 2005. The passion for life is a powerful thing - sometimes we need reminders of how precious life really is.

It caused me to reflect on the stupid post I placed the other day about my stupid laptop. How inconsequential! How small! How silly! I hope you'll join me in praying for Danielle's family as they make plans for her funeral service and decide what's best for her now-motherless son. Pray for the Cathey family as James Jr grows up without his father. Pray for those effected by tragedy and ask for the mercy of the Lord to be upon them.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My friend Shane

We've had a wild 24 hours. 24 hours ago, my friend Shane Morgan was still the pastor of Hilltop Baptist Church. He was 34 yrs old, full of life and the father, husband and pastor for his family and his church. Last night, involved in a horrific head-on accident, Bro. Shane as well as his 12 year old daughter Kalee, are home with Jesus. His wife, Lisa, and their 4 yr old, Emily, survived but are in critical and serious condition respectively. Pray for my friend Shane's family. Pray for Hilltop Baptist Church. Pray for our community. May the Lord show his mercy and his comfort through these dark days.
Read more

A Christmas to remember

As you know, this has been a year of firsts in our home. Most importantly, our son Joshua was born on April 11th this year so this has been a year of the first smile, the first laugh, the first roll-over, the first tooth and now, his first Christmas. He's brought light into our home that I simply couldn't have imagined before he got here. It's funny. . . . we adopted Joshua, but I honestly don't know how on earth I could love him anymore if he were biologically mine. It's almost as if the Lord orchestrated things and people, placing him in just the right family at just the right time (ya think??!??!). Here's a sample of what I mean. Not long ago, Julie, Josh and I were at Wal-Mart. Nothing unusual there! We were in the produce section with me pushing the cart, Josh seat in it and Julie gathering. A stranger walked up to Josh and I, looked Josh hard in the face then looked me hard in the face then back at Josh. Then Julie walked over and the stranger st...
Read more

A weekend to remember

Monday morning gives me a few minutes to consider the previous weekend - and if the rest of the year goes as wildly busy as the first three have gone by, it will be Christmas in about two weeks! - Charniece's retirement service was awesome! It was a outstanding reminder of the power of long-term service. She has served the Lord so faithfully for so long here at CBC - her legacy here will be long-remembered. Thanks to Will Cumbee and the hospitality crew for making the event so special! - The beginning of our Red-Letter Series got off with a bang! The message of grace and forgiveness we found in the mouth of Jesus in John 19 is a poignant reminder of God's calling on our lives to give forgiveness just as freely as we have received it. NOT easy. There are many who struggle with forgiveness throughout their lives - either giving it or receiving it. I hope you'll pray with me for them. - Julie and I went out to dinner Friday night (HOT DATE!) at El Chico on the Loop in T...
Read more