WATCHWORD
33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” […] 39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” 40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:33-34,39-43
Meditation:
Lost and Found – Reprise
The young couple stood at the door to my office, and asked, “Can we speak with you?” I motioned for them to come in. The young man said to his friend, “You tell him.” She, in turn, said to him, in tears, “I can’t, you tell him”, and the story came out. It was a story of loss, loss of innocence. There had been an abortion five years earlier, at the age of 14, and the young woman was lost, deep in depression and delayed grief over her lost child.
By the time the story was fully told, we were in tears. That was the start of a lengthy period of counseling and support. Eventually, the conversation turned to faith, the support of her parents, her circle of friends. At some point, months after her friend brought her to my office, the real healing began: she began to speak openly of her experience and a choice that was made for her, and how her faith and friends had helped her move on.
Over the next two years, occasionally, across the campus, I would see her, with friends, in Chapel, having lunch in the Union, at athletic events. She had become an active member of the student chapel committee, and often spoke or led discussions, occasionally declaring that her child was “with Jesus”. From all appearances, she was doing well, although there always seemed to be an edge of sadness to her smiles.
We don’t know the after-affects of an abortion unless you have been through one. From a psychologist standpoint, there is a condition called Post-Abortion Stress that was once listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Some believe it should still be listed because it is a terrible process, even for a counselor. The most important point that should be made is this: Please do not condemn those who may have had an abortion. Pray for them, support them, and know that they bear a burden you can only imagine. The current “debate” between prolife and prochoice, too often, is divisive, cloaked in political-speak, and not helpful, and, too often, ignores the human side. You can’t legislate moral decisions or medical findings.
David Jeremiah tells the story of a young mother who lost her second child to illness. Her first child, a little girl, asked where her little brother was, and her mother replied, “he’s with Jesus.” Sometime later, in a grief-edged conversation with a friend, the mother referred to the death as “the son I lost.” The little girl overheard that, and said to her mother, “No. He’s not lost, he’s with Jesus. If we know where he is, he is not lost, mommy.”
Someday, that mother and her son will be reunited. As I listened to Pastor Jeremiah’s sermon, I thought again of that young student so many years ago. She and her baby will be reunited also, in the love of our Lord. I think about that often-repeated comment that I heard in the midst of grief, that the loved one had “stepped into the next room.”
These stories are the same ones. We believe in our Lord and Savior, we know where we are going, that’s why we do not fear death. Since we know all of that, in the midst of the devastation of a “lost” loved one, our reunion with them is an eternal truth that we need to revisit, on occasion, because it will bring us peace. “No. He’s not lost, mommy, he’s with Jesus.” From the mouths of babes. Amen.
Prayer for Hope:
Heavenly father in the midst of darkness shine your light of hope on my path and help me see a future were healing and restoration or possible. Lord, our God. Thou are holy and we are sinful; Thou are strong and we are weak; Thou are ever in the light, and we walk in darkness. Gives us Thy Spirit; enlighten our minds; purify our hearts; renew our will; and may we give ourselves wholly to Thee; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
