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When tragedy strikes, I've heard people ask, "How could a loving God do that?" He is all powerful, but for reasons beyond our understanding, He allows horrible things to happen, and through the experience, "God is able to bless you abundantly". (2 Corinthians 9:8a NIV 2011)
In my own case, nearly five years ago, my husband Bob and I were celebrating our 50th year of marriage. We had driven from our home northeast of Toronto, Canada, south to Florida, USA. We thoroughly enjoyed the scenery, the history, and meeting up with old friends, a cousin, and a sister whom he had met only four years previously. After a full day aboard a cruise ship, we were on our way to our first port stop: San Juan, Puerto Rico. That's when it happened — an unexpected heart attack — and by 2 p.m., Bob had died! Talk about a shock!
I never once blamed God or felt that He had betrayed my love, but I did have a few brief "what if" thoughts. Each time, I countered with this Scripture that came to mind:
Job 14:5 – A person's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed. (NIV 2011)
Firstly, what if we had gone straight to the emergency room on the cruise ship instead of going back to our cabin when he wasn't feeling well? Because Scripture tells us that our days are numbered, I believe that the end result would have been the same, but I wouldn't have had the opportunity to comfort Bob as I showed my love for him, wrapping blankets around him as he was so chilly, and mopping the streams of perspiration from his head.
Another thing that crossed my mind briefly was what if we had been on the mainland near a big hospital, but almost as fast as that thought crossed my mind, the reality hit that the end result would have been the same, and I would have been alone, saddled with a huge hospital bill.
Another example was what if our family doctor had realized that Bob's heart was weak? Again, God brought to my mind that the end result would have been the same, but we never would have enjoyed that wonderful trip south.
Paul admonishes us to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV 2011) Looking for the good is the best way to receive God's blessings. I thank Him that He has blessed me abundantly with His presence throughout the agony of that journey and ever since. I thank Him for the wonderful time that Bob and I did experience together, and I thank Him for His great love which sure does surpass all human understanding. That is my hope and prayer for you as well.
Prayer: Our precious heavenly Father, thank You for Who You are and how You give us strength and bless us, even in the midst of calamities. Thank You for the reassurance that after people accept Jesus' sacrifice for their sins, when they are absent from the body, they are present with You. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.
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Saturday, September 7, 2024 – In Angola — In June, Sahel Academy had its closing assemblies to celebrate the year and say our farewells. Pray as we said goodbye well even though it was hard: for those who are leaving to look ahead with excitement and those staying to have a renewed sense of purpose amid a changing community. Pray for the graduates to remember their calling and to take their faith back to their families
terminal illness: "Update September 5, 2024: Gisele had the biopsy done yesterday but will not get the results for..." 
Thank you for sharing.
God is good all the time. Thanks for sharing.
Your sharing your faith, I shall remember many times, thank you.
Thank you for sharing this good word today.
Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this very moving tribute to our God in seeing there was a promise to us all.
Thank you for your life experience. You enjoyed the days with your husband and this is part of God’s plan.
Thank you for the incredible wisdom you shared with us today. May we remember it when we encounter such difficult situations in our own lives. God bless!
What a precious story used by your own personal loss. Thank you for allowing God to use that to touch our lives.
Keep writing.
So sorry for your loss, but we know where he is and probably enjoying himself. It is just so long for now, but you will see him again.
Blessings.
Amen.
Thankful the Lord inspired you to write this meditation to help those going through sudden loss of loved ones.
You are blessed and are blessing others today.
Glory to God!
Well done – I have a friend who cannot ‘believe’ in a God who allowed WWII TO HAPPEN. He was a young person and says things that he can’t get over. I try to tell him that all the ‘bad’ is the result of ‘sin’ and free will. However, your story also shows how He mitigates the calamities of life for those of us who seek HIM in the midst of trouble.
He doesn’t remove troubles, but He walks us through them. God bless.
Thank you for today’s devotional.
My husband died 2 years ago this month after a year’s long battle with Alzheimer’s and I continue struggle with the loss and the what ifs.
While I am familiar with the scripture you cited in today’s devotional, hearing/reading it from another grieving person, struck me.
Thank you.
Thank you MaryLou for your devotional today. Very sad to read that your husband passed on your special trip. We sure never know when the Lord calls us home to be with Him, but we have to remain faithful and trust in His decision as what is best. Sometimes we do find ourselves asking “why is this happening to me Lord?” As we keep close in prayer and thoughts to our loving Lord the reasons become clearer and we understand better. Blessings for sharing this writing and may your days ahead be ones of peace and comfort.
Thank you, fellow Canadian, for your touching meditation today. I am sorry you lost your hubby on board a cruise ship. I guess we always second guess ourselves after a crisis to think if we did the best possible. I sometimes wonder if, when bad things happen, if God isn’t saying: “okay, let’s work together through this and I will help you”. People who say God shouldn’t let bad things happen miss the whole point that life is to be lived on its own terms without divine interference to fix or patch up whatever goes wrong. Freedom of choice is one of God’s greatest gifts. We have to learn to accept the consequences. And God is always there. God be with you.
Good morning MaryLou,
Thank you for sharing your message about the day you lost your husband, Bob. I know it’s been five years since he went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ, but may I say condolences to you. It must have been hard for you on that day, especially during Bob’s passing. After 50 years of marriage together God must have planned Bob’s passing on the Ocean for a reason. He also gave you the strength to do for Bob what you did for him throughout your 50 years together – you were looking after him to the end. He was not alone. Fifty years of marriage is a gift from God.
Peace!
Dear Mary Lou,
I am so sorry to hear about Bob’s sudden death, but what a blessing to have had 50 years together. My first husband and I only had 15 years, and my second marriage ended after 30 years, due to my husband’s cancer. I try to remember the love and happy memories each marriage left me with, and the strength the Lord provided to help me live through each tragic loss. Here I am now, at 86 years of age, still living as the Matriarch of my extended family, which has multiplied considerably. I rely on the Lord each day to help me ‘do all things through His strength, not my own.’ Phil.4:13.
May God bless you as you continue to follow His way on your journey in life, and thank you for your devotional today.
Blessings.
Good morning, Mary Lou,
We just read your devotional this morning in the PresbyCan Devotionals. What a lovely testimony to your deep faith! You and Bob were such a blessing to our church for so many years and you were clearly blessed to have each other for 50 years.
There is a lovely song on YouTube that you might like to listen to. It’s called ‘Jealous of the Angels’ and it written by Katherine Jenkins after her father suddenly passed when she was 15. One aspect of her theology might be a little off (we don’t believe Christians become angels after they pass), but the rest of the words of the song are beautiful. I hope you enjoy listening to it.
Take care and may God continue to strengthen your faith as you continue to walk with Him.
Thank you, Marylou, for this faith-filled recounting of your husband’s unexpected death. It’s never easy, but you have clearly shared how to look at blessings even in bad situations.
Marilou, in the midst of all the sadness and heartbreak you were able to teach all of us a valuable lesson: live the moment.
You did the right thing.
MaryLou, your devotional is wonderful! Your husband’s passing I’m sure was and is difficult for you and yet your grace, faith, trust, and understanding is amazing! All glory be to God. Thank you so much for writing and sharing with us.
MaryLou – you certainly give a clear example of ‘trust and obey’ as you share your experience from five years ago. Although that must have been difficult to face, you held fast to God’s love every step.
Praise the Lord!
Thank you, Mary Lou, for sharing your experience and faith. We’re celebrating our 50th anniversary this year and are very conscious of our mortality, especially as we’ve already lost a sibling each.
The “what ifs” were insightful. We sometimes forget, or live like we don’t know, that our times are in God’s hands.
Hi MaryLou
I just wanted to thank you for sharing your experience of losing your husband and how you gave thanks in your circumstances.
I have gone through a wilderness for the past 5 months and it has been so challenging.
I have learned that God has placed me in this situation for “just a time as this”. I may never know until I get to heaven why I had to go through it, but I know that God has been with me the whole time. He has sent songs, people, scripture verses to tell me that He is there with me, even when I felt so alone.
I hope that God will continue to show you that you are not alone, and He cares for you.
Blessings on your day.
Oh, Mary Lou, my heart weeps with you for your loss, but rejoices in how God has blessed you through your experience. Hugs my devotional writing friend. Blessings.
Good Morning:
Thank you so much for your thoughts.
Every blessing to you and yours.
(ON)
Just re-read about your heartbreak. Once again, may God comfort you as memories return to mind. Hugs from one widow to another. Blessings.