Musings: Notes From My Daybook

Yesterday was a tragic day for Northlake. One of our own, a woman who grew up here, a daughter of one of our stalwart and dearly loved families, passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning. Her loss, poignant enough, to see one in the middle of life pass away, was heightened by her valiant struggle to reclaim her life after a horrible physical attack several years ago.

Adding to the loss is that this sweet family had already lost their only other child, another daughter, about 18 years ago.

Spending the day with the family, running back and forth from daughter's apartment to the family home, hugging, crying, listening, praying--yesterday was a remarkable experience in both the devastation and heartache of life as well as the power of God's presence. Even in the shadow of death, everywhere I was at yesterday, there were people from Northlake living out the presence of God. Arms surrounding hurting people, knees bent in prayer, coffee brewing in the kitchen, platters of food arriving, errands being run by folk--the family home was filled with God's people being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Pulled out of the context of the larger dimensions of life, this woman's death is senseless and devoid of meaning. Placed in the context of what she had endured and the witness of God's care through Christian people, her loss takes on a new meaning. Even in her dying God makes himself known to those who would see.