[soc.religion.christian] Questioning God's Gifts

thompson@athos.rutgers.edu (Marge Thompson) (08/12/90)

Our dear friends just lost their son  Daryl in a  tragic car accident.
Questions,  as  usual,   came  up  during   the  three  days  that  we
"officially" mourned this loss. And  sometimes the questions  are hard
to answer.

I have  always found the  23rd Psalm  a source  of  strength in joyous
times as well as sad times.  There is so much  hope and love expressed
in   this  Psalm.  However,  Daryl's  fiancee  (of  just  four  weeks)
expressed her question   of  why did  God  give us  presents  and then
sometimes take them  away.  I couldn't  answer it.  I didn't know what
to say to her.  I tried to express how I felt about gifts from God and
that even tragic events were gifts from God and how sometimes it takes
us a  long time to  understand those gifts because  we always think of
gifts as happy events...   The priest  who  celebrated the mass at the
funeral talked  about  us giving thanks  for everything God does - and
how important that is.  He also said we should be thankful that we all
knew Daryl and were touched by him in some way.  As  an older person I
could understand this.   Glynda (Daryl's fiancee)  could not   and did
not.  She does not reject the bible. She had her bible with her and we
found her many times during those  three days just  leafing thru it. I
don't  know what  her  religious affiliation is -  I believe  she is a
Christian although I am not sure she is a practicing Christian.

I told her that I would try to find some bible verses that would help
to give her some answers to her question. I knew I could turn to this
group and that someone would help us. 

Your friend in Christ,

Marge Thompson