Preparing For The Tears

The news of Joseph Bounds' drowning struck us with grief and hurt for his parents. He was their only child, and on him were hung so many hopes for the future.

In his visitation of a strong and healthy young man, Death bypassed many others to whom his knock may have even been welcome. Surely among the aged and afflicted there were those who were weary of this world and longing for the next.

With our minds we easily say that God makes no mistakes, but our hearts don't embrace the shock as readily. With our minds we understand that the Lord both gives and takes away, but our hearts resist when He chooses to exercise His right to the latter.

At the funeral, I was able to clearly see Joseph's parents, and on their faces I read the same hurts that we felt when our daughter Jenny died. Through songs and prayers and the message preached, their souls traversed a wide spectrum of feelings unique to the loss of a child. In their silent actions I read the unmistakable weight of grief that acknowledged the finality of death. The hurt of never seeing their son again in this life could not be masked.

But on the other hand, their eyes beamed with the hope that their separation from Joseph would be ever so short. He was with the Lord, though absent from the body, and by smiles and nods they affirmed that even death would be conquered.

They had set about the task of training Joseph without delay. And like Jesus, they had finished the work that the Father had given them to do (John 17:4). They had been successful, for Joseph's destination was secured. Because of their labors, he would safely debark on heaven's shore.

I watched Joseph's dad give comfort to both his wife and his own mother. He held their hands tenderly to assure them that all was well. They had done what they could in the days allotted them.

Now begins the task of concluding this chapter of their lives. And though the closing words will be penned with the ink of pain, there are other chapters yet to be written as God works good out of even this difficult trial. I pray for God's mercy on them.

Joseph's death is a sobering reminder to be about the task of finishing the work that we have been given to do. And in the process, may we learn to deal with one another with tenderness and understanding, overlooking the transgressions that are sure to arise.

Time is fleeting. And when it is gone, there will be tears. But even the tears over the loss of a loved one are more easily dried than the tears of regret over having failed to do what we should have--and could have--done.

Copyright 1999 James McAlister

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