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Our Loss, Heaven's Gain

My heart goes out to the families in Connecticut who lost their children during that horrific school shooting. I can't even imagine the pain and sorrow they are experiencing, but by all means I pray for the comfort and grace of God to overflow within their hearts.
Just today, I received news of the tragic death of a good friend, and a great deacon, Bro. Everett Oliver. He attended Bethany FWB Church in Timmonsville, SC of which I used to minister at. Pray for his wife, Mrs. Sylvia. This world is filled with tragedy and pain and at times it seems like hope can be blown away as easily as smoke in the wind, yet praise God that a Christian's hope is not like smoke, but is a SOLID ROCK. Peter wrote that we have a "lively hope", literally a hope that is alive and well, for our hope is in Jesus and praise be to God, He IS risen!

I emailed the poem below to a worker at the school where the children were killed, hoping that perhaps it would be given to the families. I post it today for everyone who has lost a loved one. In the midst of such tragedies, I try to remember one thing, "Those that We may Lose in this life, Heaven Gains forever." Psalms 48:14 says, "For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death."
                       
Like an unsuspecting wave that buries you under
Like a sudden storm that blasts forth thunder
Fear, sorrow, and agony grips your heart
Ever tightening while your soul falls apart
Crushed and bruised, a barrage of emotions
Confused and broken, a slew of questions
How could this happen? Why to my dearest?
There's no hope. How can I bear this?
How can we pick up the pieces? Where do we go from here,
when there's nothing left but the sound of fallen tears?
Nothing now but silence
Nothing now but sadness
But wait and look up. Do you see it?
You must glance with your heart, or you'll miss it.
There in the place of sweet, eternal serenity
Though hidden behind the world's painful mire, it's still a reality.
At first a dim flicker, and than radiant light
So grand and glorious, conquering the night
There is Jesus with His arms so gentle, yet strong
Holding your dearest and singing a song
“My child, my child, you're not alone.
You are my treasure and this is your home.
My child, my child, the time will come
When I'll right the wrongs that are done.
But for now you must rest and know
That my Spirit is also holding your family below,
Though perhaps unknown or obscured by grief
My love still holds firm and can give them relief
True the pain will linger and there will be scars,
But I have the power to mend their hearts.
I too have faced the deep darkness
But through it all I have reigned victorious.
If only they'd look up with their heart and see
that you have been given matchless love and joy for all eternity.”
My friend, though these words cannot erase the pain
Nor restore what you lost that terrible day
They simply serve to remind you to hold onto true hope
That your dearest is alive in glory and you don't have to walk alone.
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