My mother’s side of the family had their family reunion this last weekend (July 23-25). We have many noticeable patterns for the Montgomery family reunion. We have a picnic on the first night, a banquet on the second night, and a worship service on the last day. This year the planning committee decided to make some pretty big changes. We moved the reunion from Manning, SC to Myrtle Beach. Since no family members lived in Myrtle Beach, we planned our own praise service for Sunday morning. The family asked me to speak. Ok…the planning committee asked my mother to find a speaker, and she asked me to speak. I decided to use the Gospel lesson from the lectionary for my message. It was Luke 11:1-13. The passage deals with prayer, and one of my points dealt with persistence in prayer. In paraphrase, I said something along these lines.
Why should we be persistent in prayer? God answers prayer….but that’s a simple answer. I’ve never been one to just accept the simple answer. Christians often fall into the trap of believing our life will be great just because we are Christians. We all know there will be times of suffering. There will be times in our suffering and despair where we will call out to the Lord and ask why he has turned away. Has God turned away? No! In those times where we feel like we’ve shattered and fallen, it’s God that reaches down and puts us back together. We must recognize that prayer is more than just a petition. It’s two way communication. We bring to God what is on our heart whether that is anger, hate and suffering or joy, thanksgiving and worship. And the spirit of God speaks to us and shows us those lesser burdens aren’t as heavy as we think and those back-breaking burdens are ones we don’t shoulder only.
That was Sunday morning. On Sunday afternoon I felt like I’d shattered and fallen. I left the reunion after midday and after a few stops got back to my home around 3:30pm. A mile before I got home my mother called me and asked me to pray. My cousin’s stepson had just been pulled out of the pool, and they were trying to revive him. My little brother was the one who grabbed him off the bottom of the pool and helped drag him onto the pool deck. I called my pastor, and she and others in my church community lifted their prayers too. At a little past 5pm, my mother called and said they weren’t able to revive him. I didn’t want to be alone at that time so I went to the late service at my church and some church members talked and prayed with me, and I cried.
Monday was a day completely filled with uncertainty. My cousin, my aunt and their family began the long drive back to New Jersey to begin planning a funeral. We don’t know what the plans will be or when they’ll take place. My mom is still trying to decide whether to travel and spend time with her sister. My parents and I are naturally worried for my little brother. It’s tough enough being a twelve year old. It’s even harder being a twelve year old and having your eyes opened in such a rough manner to the unfairness of the world.
Even amongst all the pain, I’m thankful for everyone who has reached out to my family in their time of bereavement. I ask that you continue to pray for us, and extend your prayers to all three families who are grieving.
Oh Lord, give us strength.
It’s amazing how God works……….your devotion was a very moving testimony that surely will help your family through this time of sorrow. Know that your church family holds you all in our hearts and prayers. We feel your pain and your loss………….Peace, my friend. Debra
Derik, Your words were a powerful message to your family that day. I continue to pray for you and your family. Your sister in Chirst, Shelly