Re: Lost my Son
Wow... brings back a lot of fresh memories for me... a month ago last night actually. My family is dealing with an involuntary manslaughter charge here too. We've given it to God because? what else can we do? It was my 21 year old nephew and I loved him just like he was my own son.
We can't undo the accidental and careless act that took my nephew, but in turn we have reached out to the other family and we have accompanied them and their loved one to court for the first 2 appearances. In turn, they don't know what to think. They have never experienced that kind of grace. As Dr. R.T. Kendall says in his book Total Forgiveness, 'You can't give away what you don't have". God has given abundant grace to my family and maybe now we know why, at least in part.
It?s hard to sit in church on Sunday, praising the Lord, proclaiming that God is in control, then walk out the front door and go live what we claim to believe Monday through Saturday, especially when faced with this kind of sudden and tragic situation. However, if you are Christian, you know that God appoints a man to die only once (Hebrews 9:27) and Christians believe that time is predestined.
I have 5 kids, four boys and one girl ages 9 ? 17. I've been a professional firefighter for over 26 years and I've seen it all. Lives are taken every day by good people who make poor choices and? "But by the grace of God, there go I". I've committed my share of share of wrongs too. I strongly encourage you to go to the person whose careless act took your son?s life. Until you have wrapped your arms around someone who has taken something so dear to you... told them you forgive them and that you love them... you will never know what it feels like to be liberated from the worst pain imaginable. Like my family, what else can you do that will lift you, the guilty party and the innocent members of the other family? Of course there will always be a wound that may fade into a scar, but your act of grace can do a lot to stop the hemorrhaging. When 2 families and 1 tragedy collide, you will be amazed at how God will bless YOU for sharing something that only comes from God? the love of ?grace?.
It appears to me that you are adjusting to this ?new normal? about like we are. Some are days better than others. I pray that God will use you in a mighty way to reach out to the other hurting family and be the instrument that illustrates how everything does work together for greater good and God?s glory. If you ever want to talk I would be willing to lend an ear. If so, send me a private message with your phone number.
Keith
