You may have seen videos online of how excited little kids get when they see their grandparents. They’re adorable. The children squeal with joy and go running towards their Nana and Papa.
I am living that right now and it makes growing older so worthwhile.
Last week, my husband and I headed over to see our youngest grandkids (6 and 9). Because they live a few hours away we don’t get to see them as much as we’d like to.
We were meeting at a coffee shop and looked forward to window shopping in the boutique stores nearby. As we parked, our nine-year-old grandson came running towards us with arms wide open. There is no better sight than a loved one running at you with their arms open for a hug.
As we walked towards the shop together, we heard screams. When we realized that they were coming from my daughter and granddaughter, we ran as fast as we could. We were not prepared for what we saw.
Our daughter was on the ground holding our little granddaughter in her arms. Blood covered the front of our granddaughter from her forehead all the way down onto her shoes. Our sweet little pixie had run as fast as she could to greet us, not seeing a metal rail right at her forehead height. She hit it hard and it whipped her head back and cut her forehead straight across.
We were all traumatized. Her older brother paced back and forth, her Papa shook while he called 911, her mom was barely keeping herself together, and I was trying to think of nothing but holding our granddaughter’s forehead together.
The firemen arrived quickly and were professional and kind. They took our little sweetheart and her mommy away in an ambulance to the hospital in the next town over.
Once we knew she was in safe hands, we were all left with too much adrenaline and so many questions.
Why did this have to happen? Why was her run to hugs and kisses ruined in such a cruel way? Could any of us stopped it? And then … Where was God?
We’ve probably all groaned that question out at one time or another, “Where are you, God?” It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we should somehow be saved from the evils of this world because we are believers.
Psalm 22:1 – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?“
Years ago, I read an article written by a Pastor who had lost his son in a car accident. He had a crisis of faith afterwards. His why’s were even more intense. After all, he had been doing God’s work and yet his son was still taken. What came to him after a long time of anger and prayer was the realization that God was mourning right along with him. God was also heartbroken that His precious man-child had lost his son. He sure didn’t cause the accident and no, He didn’t stop it either. But He was mourning right next to the pastor and aching that this world had taken the precious son (He certainly knows what that is like).
JeffGoulden
That article has stayed with me all these years. It has helped me whenever I find myself in a “Why, God!?” situation. God gave not only we believers free will, but EVERYONE free will. And sometimes that causes some less-than-ideal circumstances. Not that our sweet little granddaughter made a bad decision to run to us with love, but perhaps whoever installed a metal rail in the middle of a walkway that blended into the surroundings did?
James 1:2-3 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
The days that followed were a struggle. Our little pixie retreated into herself and stopped talking, only answering our questions with a tiny shake of her head. Her brother was upset by the fact his sister wasn’t her usual bubbly self and that she had changed into someone he didn’t recognize. And her poor mom (who had witnessed the accident) was a mess of flashbacks and “why?” and “what if it had been worse?” thoughts.
John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
As we all struggled to make sense of the accident, we were forced to search our hearts, search our faith, and to trust our Lord in a deeper way. I think that is the one benefit that comes when something like this happens.
- In Numbers 11:11, Moses asked, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant?”
- In Psalms 10:1, David asked, “Oh Lord why do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”
- Job asked, “Why have you made me your target?” Job 7:20
- Even Jesus on the cross asked God “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46
We are not alone in asking the “Why?” questions of God. And He has answers when we pause long enough to ask.
Our little granddaughter will eventually be fine. Her forehead was stitched shut and she will have quite a scar (and a story). She has popped back faster than any of the adults did. Her faith comes from the sweet innocence of a child. Ours was forged in fire and trials and tribulations (and continues to be). This last trial was a doozy, but I’m happy to say that we came through with a new respect for life and the realization that we have an unquenchable need for the Lord.
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