Wednesday, June 11, 2008

TRAGEDY'S UNEXPECTED CALL...

Milton, here for Kristy:

Tania, a pastor's wife in South Carolina, was killed in a vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon.

Terry, Kristy's brother, and his wife Sandra stopped by here on their way south and had been gone from our home a brief while when he called.

"I have terrible news," he said. "Larry, who pastors in Summerville, his wife Tania died within the hour."

Before Terry could utter another word, I cried out for mercy for this family. "Have mercy, have mercy, show mercy, mercy, mercy, mercy for this family. Lord have mercy on them. Help them."

Unexpected

Harshly

Quickly

With no goodbyes

She was gone.

Tears went down my cheeks. How do you explain tragedy's unexpected call?

My heart breaks for Larry and his children. Would you pray for Larry and his family? They need God's mercy today.

***

Tuesday evening I prayed over the phone with a Greg, a deacon in our church, whose mother went to be with the Lord earlier in the day in West Florida.


***

All this causes one to stop and think and draw nearer--nearer to the One who knows and understands.

***

How is Kristy?

Kristy greeted and hugged all the grands Tuesday morning before they all left for basketball camp and child care. The kiddies enjoyed those moments with Nana. It helped them to hear her and see her reaching out to them.

She slept throughout the day, but stirred when Terry and Sandra stopped by to see us. They will return the end of the week.

Tuesday evening Kristy called out to me and wanted me close. I was there, but she needed reassuring.

I kissed and kissed her neck and face.

She loved it.

16 Comments:

At 8:30 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good Morning ,, You are right Pastor, one minute ur here then ur not. My nephew left his mom's that saturday morning , and just 2 miles from her house he got killed. It makes you think about where u are with God.

 
At 9:16 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is exactly why it is so important for us and our loved ones to know where we stand with God. If we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and we are confident in this faith, and our family knows we are confident in this faith, then once we are gone from this earth, we're no longer bound by earthly fears and pains but are free to experience heavenly joys, and our family knows this is the way it is with us.

Mourning is for the living, because those who have passed from this life have already moved on. So, at the same time we who are left on earth grieve our loss, we can also take comfort and feel peace in knowing that those who've passed and who do believe are already happy to be in their wonderful heavenly home.

 
At 9:24 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The "no goodbye" part is hard, and it adds to the grief. God called my mom in her sleep one night. Her heart simply stopped. It was the biggest shock to us all, especially to my dad who found her gone. Knowing she had stepped into heaven is what helped my family through that initial phase of shock.

Treasure the moments you have with Kristy. They are precious. I join you in praying mercy over this family whose mother was taken so suddenly.

 
At 10:41 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My baby brother was killed at 16 in a car wreck. He and mom were on their way to Tuscaloosa to see me graduate from Alabama. A wonderful, beautiful, christian boy that we didn't have time to say good-bye to. It really makes you stop and think about your last words to a person. My were so casual, not knowing that within 24 hours he would be gone. People should really think about that.

My heart hurts for the families you mentioned. My heart hurts for you, what a blessing to be able to prepare, to talk, to hold, to love. Even though you have this time it is still very painful and I have been praying for Kristy everday since finding her blog back in Jan./Feb.

Thank you for for what you do to keep us informed. Your love story is very inspiring and makes me want to hold my husband tighter and tell more often what he means to me. God bless you.

Teresa from Alabama

 
At 10:55 AM, Blogger Robin Bayne said...

My sister lost her best friend at age 16 also, in a car wreck. Life is so short and unpredictable. I am so thankful we have hope : )

 
At 11:03 AM, Blogger Brenda said...

Milton,

Please know that the entire PFDC office calls Kristy's and your names to God daily. We are praying for you.

Brenda

 
At 11:24 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Last night the Lord brought to my mind the story in Luke of Jarius's daughter. When Jairus was told that his daughter was dead and not to trouble Jesus any longer, to me that was Satan trying to get Jarius to give up. But Jesus said in Luke 8:50, "Do not be afraid any longer, only BELIEVE and she shall be made well." I believe the Lord is saying no matter what you see in the natural do not be afraid only believe. Keep speaking the Word over Kristy and claiming the covenant that God has promised. Please keep playing the Healing cd of the Word night and day for Kristy so she can hear the Word and get it deep into her spirit. (If you need another copy let me know). It has been proven even people in comas can hear. God's Word will not return void. The Word works, just keep standing on it and rejoice for Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of sickness and diseaase.

God bless and strengthen you all,
Kim Manis

 
At 1:45 PM, Blogger Mary Connealy said...

Lost is so hard, whether it's sudden or seen coming from a long way.

 
At 2:40 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow , As I have reread all these comment s today. God is so good. Pastor,,, God is using Kristy's blog as a MINISTRY here. All the love and encouraging words . WOW. 1 week before my nephew got killed by his mom's house , he and his son had , had a bad argument. 2 hours before he got killed , he was headed to his son's house to make things right. Well he didnt make it, the last 2 ppl he say before getting killed was his mom and dad , since he had just left there house, next week marks 3 yrs. I do not know where my nephew is today, "he knew God " but a relationship i do not know . there has been alot of hurtful words said since his death . It hurts , but what can I do , they live in Ga and I live in florida. at times there are still hurtful things said.
this sudden death made me realize alot of things. i try everyday to say and do the right things. we are all human . sometimes our stress level gets high and we like "lose it" .
Praying for Dykes family always

 
At 3:25 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear God:

Please release comfort to all those who have commented having lost dear loved ones so suddenly. Let your grace and mercy come into every hurting heart.

Amen.

 
At 4:03 PM, Blogger Kim said...

I grieve for this family and life them up in prayer in their loss. A family in our church recently lost a wife/mother in an auto accident too. She was the only one injured.

I pray daily for Kristy and for you and your family and friends who are caring for her. Please know that your story is a great testimony to the loving faithfulness of our Lord and Savior.

Kim

 
At 4:15 PM, Blogger Rambling On said...

My prayers are with this family. I think the longer good-bye is best, but none are easy. My father-in-law passed away at the age of 58 from lung cancer (never smoked in his life). I was so grateful we had time to say good-bye, but it isn't always the case.

I've often made a point of saying we should live as if every day is our last, because one day it will be.

 
At 6:34 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pastor Milton and kristy, Shirley Price and I Love and miss you! We will continue to pray for you! Love from Sultan Washington.

 
At 8:25 PM, Blogger Margo Carmichael said...

The Lord bless all who wrote here today, with His peace that passes understanding.

Sending you hugs and blessings.

 
At 9:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's been a while since I've been by to visit with my friend Kristy and my new friend Milton. And, I remember why. Kristy, it makes my heart sad/glad/happy/weepy when I read how you are doing...how the family is....
I thank you for taking me under your writing wing in developing my first Novella proposal..not that it sold, but I learned so much from you. I've had a few novella ideas since then, but no one quite handles things as well as you did..imho..thanks for belieivng in me...thanks for loving God and thank you for loving all your family so that Milton knows you so well, I can see you in his posts.

 
At 11:01 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We pray for Tania's family. There is no easy way to say good-bye to those we love. Love sure is a risk. The deeper we love, the more painful the grief when we have to let go.

Thank you Pastor Milton & Kristy for sharing your great love with the world. You're reaching thousands with your honesty. We laugh with you and cry with you. We pray with you. We're all connected by the lover of our souls, Jesus Christ.

 

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