There's hope in the promise of the cross

From left to right: Cameron (9), Daniel, April, Tyler (7)

Earlier this week, while I was browsing online during my lunch break at work, I came across a story on the Yahoo homepage of a woman, April Smith, who had lost her 2 sons during a Tornado in Arkansas on April 27. Having 2 kids myself, I immediately felt a deep pain and huge sorrow. I could not imagine what she was going through. However, the story went on to say that it was only through her faith in God that she was able to be at peace. She knew that her boys knew Jesus and that they would be OK. She was in such emotional pain, but she knew that God is good and God had taken them home. 

It is through her story (which went viral, BTW), that so many people came to know God and even Christians that were wavering in their faith were able to come back to God. Amen to that!

Her friend, Jessica, posted a blog post of her friend's incredible story of faith, which I am going to link here. I know that the boys' deaths were not in vain. There are so many things that happen in this world that we don't understand, but we have to know that God is good. Jessica, in her blog post, posted a scripture verse that her other friend had shared and I'm going post is here. It's from Isaiah 55:8-11:

8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

We are all here for a purpose- for God's purpose. This world that we live in is only a temporary residence. So we have to live knowing that the world we live in is only temporary. We have an eternal home waiting for us. So we must live to serve God's purpose.

O God, please be with April and Daniel as they are healing physically and emotionally. We know your heart breaks when we suffer. When we see this world through our eyes, it's hard to understand and grasp the terrible things that happen around us, but thank you for giving April a small glimpse into your wonderful plan. We know you are good and you are faithful. Let us continue to put our faith in you that you will make everything ok. In Jesus' name, Amen.