Tragedies in our lives

There is so much tragedy this week due to the weather. I suspect over the years all of us have been touched by some sort of tragedy. And, when it happens to us, we can’t help but wonder why.

I had just turned two when the tornado of 1942 struck and destroyed most of my hometown. Because of work, my parents and I were living in Salina, Ks. at the time so we were spared. But, my paternal  family wasn’t.  My grandparent’s home was destroyed; my grandfather was severely injured and my grandmother died a short time later from injuries suffered in that tragedy. My paternal family was bombarded by tragedies during the years my daddy was growing up and even after he was married. This tornado that took the life of my grandmother even before I got to know her was only one of them.

My paternal grandfather was known in the town as a good man and a very good businessman. But, there were things that he did that brought about tragedy and discourse within his family.  My grandmother was a wonderful woman by all accounts; a Christian woman I’m told, who loved the Lord and her family.  My grandfather, on the other hand, was raised in the home of a circuit riding preacher.  His dad was gone much of the time holding revivals here and there and my grandfather resented that he was away so much. So, going to church was not a priority for my grandfather when he left home. I’m sure my grandmother spent much of her life praying for the salvation of my grandfather and her children. But, his salvation and that of one of his sons was not to come until after her death.

It was a small country church and my parents and I had gone to one of the services.  We sat on the same pew with my grandfather, his brother and my uncle.  I remember so well, even though I couldn’t have been more than five or six, when the alter call came and those three men began bawling like babies. I don’t remember much of the details other than seeing them all raise their hands; tears flowing down their cheeks and asking the Lord to come into their lives. And, I remember later going to the river where they were all baptized.  I don’t know what brought about my grandfather’s salvation but I am almost positive it was the prayers of his wife, now deceased. And, perhaps, the knowledge of the tragedy that took her life, and the tragedies that took the lives of all of his children but two, over the years.

I see and read the news stories now of families torn apart by the ravishing storms that have taken place. And, yet, as I hear some of their stories, I’m reminded that even in death, God has gained a victory. Their testimonies of His love and faithfulness abound even through their tears.

Isn’t it amazing how we tend to believe that everything revolves around us?  That God should give us special priority because we are such good people? That He should never let tragedy or unhappiness come to  us because we are His people?  We never think about the fact that God uses tragedy to bring people to Him that otherwise might never know His saving grace.

Has God used a tragedy in someone else’s life to bless you?  Or a tragedy in your life to bless someone else? God put us on this earth to be a shining example of Him to those around us.  We are not here for our own selfish reasons.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20 NIV