This morning as I was getting ready to clean up around the house and in the house from the power outage last night, I got a phone call. A woman I've recently been in a prayer group with was killed last night in a car accident in the storms. Our group, which meets Fridays, was supposed to be helping another family to clean and pack as they head overseas again. It turns out that family was dear friends with the woman who was killed and spent much of last night with her husband and children. While I didn't know the lady who died well at all, I have had the privilege of standing beside and behind her in intense spiritual warfare the past few months. God had been doing some amazing things in her family the last weeks and to hear of the accident seems almost like the enemy stole that. So I'm processing. I put my own cleaning on hold to go support others who not only are grieving a dear friend, but are in the midst of major transition and under a tight deadline as well. And let me tell you, I walked away blessed today! What an amazing family they were (I just met them for the first time)! They are living out what Jesus asks in following him. Not only did I get to meet them (and a few other OM kids-now grown) but I got to be a witness of something quite personal. I witnessed the deep grieving and rejoicing of a family, of an extended family. I witnessed great rejoicing at this family's next steps and that their house is sold and things are moving along well for them. I witnessed deep love and commitment as person after person stopped by to help and to offer love and prayer and condolence (many times by others who also were grieving). I got to see people pitch in and scrub that house from top to bottom in a couple hours with happy hearts, even though they were heavy hearts. And I got to witness people pray. Often I would look up and 2 people would be stopped just praying. For each other. For this family who lost a mom and wife. For other friends who are grieving so deeply they couldn't even make it over today. I saw such bonds and such genuine community in this family. And I was welcomed right in. The most beautiful thing about this family in their joy and grieving together, was that not one of them are related. These were people from around the globe who have walked together over the last many years following Jesus wherever he has led. Let me tell you, I was in the presence of great saints today. I have been blessed in the past by those kinds of communities and now am so thankful to be part of one here. Please remember the family who lost M last night in your prayers. And don't ever underestimate the power of family, in whatever form you have it!
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AuthorsCarolyn & (sometimes) Ty Archives
March 2016
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