When Tragedy Strikes - Part I

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+127:3&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023:4&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2034:17-18&version=NASB

On November 8, 1994, Pastor Scott Willis and his wife, Janet, were traveling with 6 of their 9 children on Interstate 94 near Milwaukee.  A piece of metal fell off a truck ahead of them.  Being unable to avoid it without losing control of their minivan, Scott had no choice but to run over it.  And hope for the best.  The best did not happen.  Instead, it was the absolute worst that could happen.  That piece of metal ended up rupturing their rear gas tank.  The tank exploded.  Scott and Janet managed to get out of their van, sustaining burns from which they would later recover.  Their children were not so fortunate.  5 of them died instantly.  Their last child in the vehicle, Benjamin, died several hours later.

News of the tragedy spread quickly.  Throughout the United States.  And then the world.  And well it should have.  Losing 6 of your children in a single moment.  To something that was not your fault.  Something that you could not have prevented even if you had tried.  Being utterly helpless as you watch your children burn to death.  This is every parent’s nightmare.  A lot of people instantly felt a strong connection with the Willis’ loss.  Of course, another part of the interest in this story is the fact that this tragedy happened to a pastor and his wife.  Two people who were serving God.  And then God did this to them!  Or, at the very least, God let it happen.  One could easily debate which one is worse.

Interestingly, however, the Willis’ didn’t react negatively to this accident.  That fateful night, as the Willis’ stood helplessly by, watching their children die in the resulting fire, Scott turned to his wife and said, “This is the moment for which we are prepared”.  Really?  I could think of a thousand other things I would have said at the time.  Things such as ‘NOOOOO!!”  Or, GOD WHY ME??  WHY OUR CHILDREN??  But that just goes to show you the kind of relationship that Scott and Janet had with God.  It’s the kind that doesn’t collapse and disappear in the face of tragedy.  Instead of blaming God, they drew closer to him.  Their faith in a God who is good, loving, and kind is what sustained them.

Over the days and weeks ahead Jesus walked with them through the valley of the shadow of death.  The Willis’ later described how they were able to cope in the face of such a horrific tragedy.  “Every morning we awake and say, ‘This is one more day to prove the faithfulness of God’.  Every night we say, ‘We are one day closer to seeing our children again.’”  Such is the testimony of this couple who understood that children are a gift from God.  And when God wants them back, He has the right to take them to Himself.

In our valley, as in a lot of communities across our country, there are Emergency Preparedness  simulations.  A mock accident or disaster scene is created.  Then local first-responders are called to the scene.  It gives them a chance to practice their emergency response skills so that when a real emergency happens, they are prepared.  And able to handle it.

In one sense, none of us can fully prepare for tragedy.  I mean how do you go about preparing to lose 6 of your children in a matter of moments?  You don’t.  By their very nature, tragedies happen spontaneously.  Without any advance notice.  One moment everything’s fine and dandy.  The next moment, our lives are irreparably changed.  So it is impossible to realistically plan for tragedy.  In fact, I don’t know that I would want to go through a simulation on the various tragedies that could possibly overtake me or my family.

But, in another sense, we can prepare for tragedy.  We do this on a daily basis.  By being closely connected to God.  Through reading His Word.  And memorizing Scripture.  Through prayer.  And worship.  And the giving of thanks.  By being close enough to God that we know His heart.  Knowing that when tragedy does come it’s not because God is mad at us.  Or being spiteful or vindictive.  It’s because He is using our tragedy for a higher purpose.  In our lives and in the lives of others.  God is still good.  He still loves us.  We can still trust Him.  Even when we don’t understand.

Lord, I admit that sometimes I am afraid of tragedy happening to me or those I love.  I confess that I don’t know that I could handle it.  But I am encouraged by people such as the Willis’.  People who have suffered unbelievable tragedy and yet continue to place their faith and trust in You.  Help prepare me today for the future.  Help me to draw so close to You that if-and-when tragedy strikes, my first and only response will be to trust You.  And to bless Your name.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.