When tragedy strikes

In February of this year tragedy struck our family when our 19 year old son suddenly collapsed and ended up passing away in the hospital 4 days later. Our family is obviously crushed. We are full of grief . Our son was a believer and knowing that he is in heaven gives us a hope and peace that is inexplainable. There are times that we are not sure how to move forward but God sustains us. We refuse to allow this tragedy change our mission and our calling to plant a church in rural Ohio. Our constant prayer right now is that God will use this tragedy for His glory. Will you pray for our family as we move forward? Pray that we keep our eyes on Christ and find the healing and comfort that only He can provide.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened- not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith not by sight. Yes we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

This is the passage Jeramy read at Timothy’s celebration of life. I pray it gives you the same hope and comfort it gives us.