“….Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more.” Acts 20:38
Recently, in the devotional, “Our Daily Bread,” there was a reference to a little known missionary named, Bob Hayes who served the Lord for years in Accra, Ghana. He started a Bible school in a tin-roof cinder block building with a handful of students. Bob taught the native Christians how to lead groups, preaching and teaching skills and through his efforts many churches and schools sprang up across Ghana. I had never heard of him, so it piqued my interest to know more about his ministry.
Bob was a city boy from New York, married his sweetheart Alice, and together they went to Ghana to serve the Lord. He often spoke of the irony of the Lord’s call from New York to a village of 3000 half a world away! Along the way, they had 2 children, Sarah and John. They eventually retired and moved to Ohio and their two children took over the work Bob started. John married and had three children and Sarah worked as a single lady ministering to the children. In 1998, Bob was invited to speak at a Bible conference in Accra and flew to Ghana to reunite with his dear friends. Returning home, John and Sarah escorted their father back to the airport in Accra. On the way, their car was hit head on by a tractor-trailer and Bob and Sarah were killed instantly. John lived long enough to tell the emergency workers who they were and provide phone numbers, then he too went to his heavenly home. On that day, Alice lost the three most precious people in her life! There are no words to describe the grief this dear lady must have gone through! To lose three much loved family members in one day is almost too much to comprehend! Their remains were flown home in beautiful handmade African caskets for a combined funeral. One pastor said, “There is no need for long sermons and eulogies today, these three servants of God preached their own funeral sermons in the lives they lived.” “Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see his face no more…” Acts 20:38.
This week, we started another cycle of GriefShare in our church. I have helped lead it for several years, but as I looked over the new class and knew some of the grieving people, I felt completely inadequate for the task. I know God has called me to this work, so I know He will enable me, but how can I really know the grief of a person who has lost multiple loved ones or gone through sudden tragedies? All I can do is point them to the One who alone can provide comfort. Grief is a journey no one wants to travel on, but the God of all Comfort rides along with us and holds us up as we grieve. We find as we travel, He lifts us up, gives comfort from His word and provides a body of believers to help us through the rough places. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.
In my own experience with grief, I looked for other widows who were doing well and asked them how they did it. They all said the same thing, “God walks along with you and provides what you need for each day. You will get through it, but it takes time.” “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.” Psalm 55:22. God allows trials in our lives to make us more like His Son. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus and grieved with Mary and Martha, even though He knew what He would do: Raise Lazarus from the dead! “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4.
Your friend, Jean