A Life Remembered
Psalms 139:1-16
That we may be able to comfort those who are in
any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by
God.(2 Cor 1:4)
Daddy, help me.” Those were the last words Dianne and Gary
Cronin heard their daughter say as she struggled to breathe. Kristin, 14
years old, died suddenly—just 2 days after saying she didn’t feel well. A
strep infection attacked her body on Thursday. By Saturday, she was
pleading with her daddy to help her.
Before Kristin died, I was
scheduled to speak at her family’s church in Soldotna, Alaska. In God’s
timing, I stood before the congregation the day after her funeral.
Kristin was one of those
vivacious teens who loved Jesus and lived for Him—and whose sudden death
leaves us with a million questions.
Because I went through a
similar loss of my own teenage daughter a few years ago, I was able to
offer some advice to this stunned and grieving church. First, I said, we
must recognize God’s sovereignty. Psalm 139:16 reminds us that Kristin’s
life was the exact length God intended. Second, I asked the church never
to forget her family. Whether it’s 2 months or 5 years later, the family
will never “get over” losing Kristin. They will never stop needing
Christians who care and remember.
In times like this, don’t
forget that God is in control and that He wants us to be a comfort to
others.
PRAYER
Dear Lord,in every desert of despair You
have an oasis of comfort.Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When we sustain a heartbreaking loss, when grief
overwhelms our soul, The Savior who gave Himself on the cross Reminds us
that He’s in control.
Christian
Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
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