Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Five Mothers

Last night we held a prayer service for five young halibut fishermen, from our community, who are missing at sea. Over one hundred people crowded into our small church in faith and hope that the men would be found.  Sunday night their fishing boat capsized and search boats from the Coast Guard have been searching over 10,000 square kilometres of water for signs of a life raft. 

When we got home from the service we heard that the search had been called off. The Coast Guard gave up hope of finding them. Five young men, between the ages of 21 and 33, gone. Some had families of their own; young children who will barely remember their fathers. It is such a heartbreaking tragedy that its hard to accept that they're gone. 

These men were my own sons' ages. The captain of the vessel was only 21 years old. Today my son, Matthew, turns 22. Today is his birthday. While five other mothers are grieving over the loss of their son, I am quietly thanking God that mine is safe. I know that God understands these mothers' grief. He saw His own mother, Mary, grieving at the foot of the cross. In His compassion for her, He asked John, from the cross, to care for His mother. I can't imagine what Mary was going through. I can't imagine what these five mothers are going through now. But God knows. He understands. He cares.

Many people, meaning well, will try to comfort these mothers. But how can you give comfort to someone who has lost a part of themselves? I can't imagine the agony. But God can. Only He can bring the comfort these women now need. Only He can speak to the storm that is raging inside of them and cause it to calm and bring peace. Only He can. 

I'm sure each of these mothers are replaying memories of their son in their mind, in some attempt to keep them with them a little longer. In a desperate attempt not to acknowledge the truth that they are gone. Oh how our minds rebel against such an awful truth! 

What can we say to them? What words of comfort can we give? There are none. They've lost their sons. Nothing can bring them back. Nothing can change the truth. But we can pray and ask God to send His comforter, the Holy Spirit, to bring comfort to them. We can intercede for them in prayer and ask the Lord to heal their hearts because only He can. He alone can take the sting from the hurt. 

And I believe we can do one other thing. We can appreciate our family just a little more. We can try a little harder to show them how much we love them and are thankful for them. We can be a little more compassionate and caring. None of us knows how long we have on this earth. Only God knows that. So with the time that we are given let's determine not to waste it. We might only have today. 

Today is Matthew's birthday and I am thankful for my son. He is a world changer. He is a great, big bear of a man who has an even bigger heart. He loves caring for the elderly and is a champion of the oppressed. He is a defender. He is a clown. He is a mighty man of God. A man of deep faith. I am thankful he is my son and that I still have him. 

My heart goes out to these five mothers. My heart grieves at your loss and my prayers are with you. For the rest of you mothers, hold your children just a little closer, no matter their age. Be thankful for them and don't take even one day for granted. Make sure they know how much you love them and cherish the time you have with them. God bless.


The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. - Psalm 147:3

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you,” says the Lord. - Isaiah 66:13


2 comments

  1. Good Word....This whole thing is So Heart-wrenching, God Bless ALL Concerned "

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  2. Hello, Laurie-
    That was beautiful....I believe what you said were the words of what we were thinking but didn't know how to express it so wonderfully as you.
    Love you and yes lets hold the ones we love a little closer!

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