Grieving

Just received news yesterday that a good friend has cancer. Mike Godknecht called and told me that his wife, Cathy, has pretty extensive cancer. The doctors don't think treatment will help. Their concern is keeping Cathy comfortable. Mike and Cathy have been through a lot these past couple of years and now this. I cannot imagine what Cathy must be going through wondering about why this disease has come into her life. I cannot imagine what Mike must be going through feeling helpless. Both though are faithful to their God and I have no doubt that God will be faithful to them.

Diseases like cancer remind us that this world is not perfect and that there is a better age coming. Even though we believe as Christians that death leads us to that better age, we still grieve when someone comes down with a life threatening disease. We will not be able to enjoy those eternal relationships until that final day, so we grieve at the loss we experience now. Grief now will turn to joy on that day. Ed Monroe used to say that you really can't know joy unless you know grief. I'm sure that Mike and Cathy will know great joy on that final day.