Redefine Disaster

A good friend wrote me this account of her personal thoughts just after the Amish killings this past week. She alludes to a chilling experience when her daughter and granddaughter were killed. The grace she walks in has always amazed me.

Redefine Disaster



Yesterday I'd spent an hour or more trying to put my thoughts together when suddenly "glitch!"– and I lost it all. But within seconds I acquiesced; the writing wasn't getting anywhere. Most likely an angel popped in and erased it right before my eyes.

This week I am moved so much by the sight of an Amish mother walking with a police officer between a battery of cars, reporters, ambulances etc. It threw me back to the picture of myself on the front page of the paper the morning after Nora and Lauren's murder -- my being escorted by a policeman away from the scene.

I wanted to talk about it, but with all the anguish coming back, even numbness creeping up my arms, everything seemed to evaporate no matter how much I wanted to say something. I surmise that big angel knew exactly what I needed: a quiet day by myself.

An empty house (her daughterher and son in law away), a foggy day; snack and sleep, finish my knitting, mind the store and remember God.

The Bible study lesson, back in May, 1983, was this: The Word of God is absolutely dependable, no exceptions. If your experience contradicts the word then you need to reexamine your experience.

How could that be?

I made an appointment with Bob Stevens, who wrote the study, and challenged him. "It says right here in my Bible that '‘no disaster will come near your tent.'’ How then can you explain the murder of my kids?"

At that very moment when I stared him down and his kind eyes across his desk transfixed mine, the Holy Spirit showed up, almost like a spot light across his desk. "Then we have to redefine disaster." He said the words, but I heard them simultaneously in my heart. "There is no disaster except separation from Christ!" (The truth is shocking when it hits like that!)

I haven't spoken to him since, but I called him up, introduced myself, and reminded him of my visit. Do you remember how the Holy Spirit showed up and what He told us, that day?

"Well, yes," he said thoughtfully. "That's true, isn't it? It will always be the ultimate disaster. Dying without Christ." (Oh, how I thank God for a steadfast Christian brother!)

The sweet Amish community has shown the world their faith in God. Even the children, one whose last words were, "Kill me first, and let the rest of them go."

[Jesus told his disciples, "And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt.10:28] Sunday. Another quiet day, and much to ponder.

Love and peace to you all. B****