I learn by watching. I watch great leaders in certain situations. I watch how they act, react, walk with God, and do ministry in critical times of ministry. This past Saturday was one of those days where I learned alot.
You may have seen the story. It was on national news. A father in our area walked into his house, shot and killed his four stepchildren and his wife. Then he turned the gun on himself and ended his own life.
The kids ranged in age from 10 to 15.
I can't imagine how someone could do such a thing to their family. I kept thinking of the verse that says the evil one is come to steal, kill and destroy.
The family did not attend our church, but we opened our church doors for the funeral to help bring comfort and healing to our community. I have never been to a funeral with 5 coffins lined up across the front...4 of them children. The father was obviously not buried with the family due to the situation.
Before the service, I walked around and helped where I could. Opening doors, handing out tissues to people who were crying. There was a large group of people who attended the funeral. It had to be over 1000.
When the funeral started, one question was racing through my mind. What would the Pastors say? How would they approach such a difficult situation? I have done funerals, but never the funeral of a child...must less 4 children.
Pastor Thomas Masters came and spoke to the family.
He said nothing he could say would be sufficient. But he shared how God had led him that week to the story of Job. He shared how Job had lost 10 children all at one time. What was Job's response? He shaved his head, fell on his face, and worshiped God. Even in the darkest of times, when we don't understand why something happened, we know that God will never leave us. He will be there to comfort us.
Pastor Tom Mullins, our Pastor, came and spoke to Ryan.
Ryan was the only child that lived. He was shot in the neck but survived. Pastor Mullins shared with Ryan that he had been spared for a reason. God has special plans for his life.
So what did I learn?
- There are some situations where our words will not be sufficient.
- Always seek God and get a truth from Him to bring to people in a difficult situation.
- In times like that, point people to God and let them know though we do not understand the why....we can know that God is there and will walk through it with us.
- Speak hope for the future. The surviving child has many difficult days ahead. But he will always remember that he was spared for a reason.
Posted by Dale Hudson
