God is with us

Ilove stories that illustrate God’s power and how he often works in unexpected ways. Elise Seyfried shared this remarkable story about her grandmother, Rose, in the June 2007 issue of Guideposts Magazine.

Grandma Rose had Alzheimer’s disease, and as it progressed she repeatedly asked about each of her grandchildren by name. Although the family understood her love prompted the questions, it was hard to watch the once-vibrant woman gradually lose her battle with the horrible disease.

Then, another tragedy struck: her 23-year-old granddaughter, Maureen, was killed in a car accident. The entire family was devastated, but Maureen’s mother took the death of her daughter especially hard.

After much deliberation, the family decided not to tell Grandma Rose, as they knew she would probably not remember anyway, and the thought of retelling the story over and over would be excruciating. Still, there was the question of what to say when she asked about Maureen, which everyone knew she would do the next time a family member visited.

On her next visit, Maureen’s mother struggled to appear as though everything was fine. Grandma Rose wanted to know how Elise was doing. Her daughter replied, “She’s well, she and her husband Steve live near Philadelphia.” “And Carolyn?” “Doing well, Mom. She’s still living in Atlanta.” The grieving mother braced herself for the next question, but it did not come; instead, Grandma Rose paused before saying, “Dear Maureen needs you to stop crying. She’s in a happier place now, except that she’s worried about all of you. Maureen loves you so much. Please let her go.”

How did she know? Even if someone had told her about Maureen’s death, it was unlikely she would have remembered. Yet, she not only knew, but her message from Maureen brought comfort to the young woman’s grieving mother when she needed it most, but expected it least.

I do not know why God allows bad things to happen to good people. It is hard to know what to say to a family when their 23-year-old daughter dies. I do, however, know that in our time of need, God is with us.

Nowhere in scripture does God say we will not have difficult days, but Psalm 46:11 promises, “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” (NLT)

Although it may not seem God is with us when our heart breaks, he is; sometimes in a still small voice, a friend’s kind words, or a stranger’s act of kindness. Regardless of the challenge, God promises to be our refuge, and knowing this can help us through whatever may come.