The “Why” Question, Part 1 of 2

When serious troubles enter our lives, the human tendency is to say, “This isn’t fair.” From childhood on, we crave equality, and when tragedy strikes one person but not another, it doesn’t feel right. Even if we don’t say it out loud, our brains reverberate with the words, “No fair!”

As we finally come to terms with our disease, disability, abandonment, or other calamity, the next question is, “Why me?” Searching for reasons on which to hang our difficulties is part of human logic attempting to order of chaos. The only problem is, when bad things happen to good people, logic has very little to do with it.

Through the wonders of cyberspace, I “met” a man who was double-struck with tragedy, a pastor, a thinker, and a good writer. (He’s the father of Jennifer, who’s married to Aaron, who’s the son of my cousin Gloria.) The pastor’s name is John Kunz, and never to have met him is my loss.

John’s first crisis came when his wife, Sue, had a major stroke, debilitating her in all categories and rearranging their family permanently. When the stroke hit, their children were ages 9, 6, 4 and 2, so these youngsters grew up in a home revolving around their disabled mom. John cared for Sue with joy and love for the next 27 years until the second crisis hit, his own terminal cancer. Acceptance of his failing health was complicated by him knowing he wouldn’t “finish the adventure” with his beloved wife.

As for asking “why,” here are his comments, written near the time of his diagnosis:

“When Sue’s stroke happened nearly 27 years ago, a lot of folks asked ‘why.’ Some are again asking the ‘why’ question in connection with my current diagnosis. Here’s my answer.

There’s a power in the universe so strong it has the ability to mar perfection. It’s called sin. Once this power was unleashed, it threw ‘cosmic dust’ all over the throne room of God, all over the Person of the Godhead, and all over His creation. Imperfection marred perfection. This is Genesis 3.

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden tree, they introduced death into our experience. Some may want to debate what ‘death’ means, but I know it’s the opposite of the ‘life’ God intended for humanity. Everybody dies, and so will each of us. The power/principle of sin is no respecter of persons. It has its grimy hooks in everyone.

So, ‘why’ did this (or that) happen to…..?”

        *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *

[His answer and what to do about it, tomorrow.]

“With eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:21-22)

Crowned

As our family enters its third year without Nate, we hit two important dates immediately: Thanksgiving last Thursday and our anniversary today. Anniversaries are for couples not individuals, but I know November 29th will always be important to me, even without my husband.

Nate was A+ at remembering dates, but when it came to our anniversary, he wanted to be extra sure. He had our initials and the date put on his car’s license plate: MN1129. Every time he approached his vehicle, he wanted to be reminded of me and of our marriage. My guess is this gesture would please any wife, and I know it pleased me.

This year would have been our 42nd anniversary. Of course I didn’t expect a gift, but my always-thoughtful sister gave me something special to mark the day, a handsome picture of a smiling Nate in a unique frame. Only 3” high and glittering with crystal “jewels,” it’s in the shape of a stunning crown.

Although Nate was a wonderful man, he had no royal reason to wear a crown, yet Scripture tells us he’s wearing one now. Actually we’re all destined for crowns because of our membership in King Jesus’ royal family.

Paul writes about this unique privilege toward the end of his earthly life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

In studying the Bible’s use of the word “crown,” I found detailed descriptions of 9 jewels sparkling in God’s Designer version:

  • crowned with glory and honor
  • crowned with God’s bounty
  • crowned with beauty
  • crowned with victory.
  • crowned with blessings
  • crowned with knowledge.
  • crowned with love and compassion
  • crowned with everlasting joy
  • crowned with life eternal

That sounds like a crown that will be a delight to wear!

And another royal fact: according to the Bible, God sees us as jewels. This makes no sense until we realize he’s looking at us through the dazzling perfection of his Son, who wore a crown of thorns the day he brought royal standing to us. Unlike us, though, he actually deserves his crown. Make that a set of crowns: “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True… On his head are many crowns.” (Revelation 19:12)

And just so there’s no confusion about who that was, Scripture makes it clear: On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:16)

So today, on what would have been Nate’s and my anniversary, I had a sparkling good time thinking about my dear one’s crown, the crowns in God’s storehouse waiting for the rest of us, and the many crowns of Jesus Christ.

Stunning!

“The crown of righteousness… not only to me, but also to all who have longed for [Christ’s] appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)

 

Giving Gladly

Black Friday brought bright news throughout the land: shoppers bought more than expected, causing statistics to jump 22% from last year. Even better was the 39% increase in food purchases the day before Thanksgiving. Maybe times are a-changin’.

This weekend the girls and I initiated the Christmas season by watching “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Jim Carrey’s rubber face and crazy antics made the movie a hit, but little “Cindy Lou Who” did a pretty good job convincing Whoville that Christmas wasn’t just about pretty packages.

Of course local retailers hope it is all about packages. But when family money is tight, purchasing in all categories goes down, particularly extras like gifts. At the end of the season, numbers gurus will let us know whether or not we spent enough to make a positive difference in our country’s all-but-non-existent financial recovery.

During belt-tightening times, charities suffer severely, which includes churches. A recent Sunday morning worship service at my church included a challenging children’s sermon. As the kids came forward, they couldn’t help but notice the pastor was holding a giant container of animal crackers. When they got there, he gave one to each of them, telling them, “Don’t eat it. Go out into the congregation and give it to someone else.”

This assignment met with some reluctant givers, but eventually they all did as instructed, returning to the front afterwards. “Now,” the pastor said. “I’m going to give you each two more animal crackers. This time, give one away and then you can eat the other one.” It was smiles all around as they dashed into the congregation to share what they had.

Then the pastor made his point: “God blesses us for one reason: so we can bless someone else.” It was a powerful sermonette, and not just for the children.

Sometimes we adults struggle to give, not wanting to let go. But if we truly believe God knows our needs and loves us enough to follow through on providing, it should be painless to give away our surplus. And more than that, it should be fun.

When doubts crowd in, Scripture offers reassurance: “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” (Proverbs 11:24) God knows it can be hard, but he’s watching for people who aren’t just willing to give but who do it with eagerness and a smile. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

The pastor’s message must have sunk in deeply with our congregation, because at the end of the fiscal year, we had a significant surplus and had the delightful problem of wondering what to do with it all. But we didn’t have to wonder very long. Even the children could have told us: “Give it away!”

And that’s what we did.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. And God is able to bless you abundantly.” (2 Corinthians 9:6,8a)