Blessings in the Midst of Trials

Lori was buried today.  On March 21, the thirteenth anniversary of my mother's death, the sister of my college roommate breathed her last and went to be with the Lord.  Last night and today, hundreds of people gathered at the funeral home and her church to remember her life, cry for their loss, and support the family.   I was privileged to play the (wonderful grand) piano for the service; it was an honor not only to serve the family and congregation, but also to work with the talented and experienced singers and string players, and to praise the Lord with "Amazing Grace," "It is Well with my Soul," "Blessings" and "Revelation Song."  The personal tributes and the sermon inspired us all to emulate Lori's joy, peace and love.   She knew Jesus Christ in a very real way, and her life reflected His Spirit in her work, play and relationships before her diagnosis, and in her trust and hope through the last five months of illness and decline.

Reflecting on the many small blessings in the midst of this very big trial, several of Lori's relatives and friends, as well as her pastor, declared their confidence that God was present and at work throughout.  From Shelley's ability to quit her job and come three or four days every week to care for her sister, to the timing of Lori's last breath - just days after her husband took a leave of absence from work, and with every member of her family plus friends able to be present - to myriads of little circumstances, they could see the Lord's love and grace in the midst of trouble.

The parallel to a loving parent training a child came to my mind.  There are many "big trials" we have to put our children through - from weaning to walking to driving to leaving the nest, and dozens more.  Sometimes they want to go through the troubles to get to the prize, but often they don't and we have to use some measure of discipline, force or discomfort to get the job done.  When we're good parents, we reassure the children that we are with them - physically and/or emotionally - as they go through the necessary hardships.  But they have to go through them.   These thoughts comfort me when I think about my mother's death; perhaps they comfort others too.