Why

Two weeks ago, SOTH member Barbara Hannah received a call that her husband, Darrell, had been in an accident on I-285. He had witnessed a wreck, pulled his truck over, and got out to help. In the midst of his attempt to be a good Samaritan, Darrell's own truck was hit by another vehicle which pinned him against the divider wall, crushing his legs and pelvis and breaking other bones.

Darrell is still hospitalized, has gone through multiple surgeries. He is still receiving assistance with his breathing, and remains in ICU. Our urgent prayers continue to be with Barbara, and we pray that God will help our church be the real presence of Christ to this family in their time of greatest need.

Jamie Blankenship is Barbara's good friend, and write about how faith still makes sense and is our strength, even when things go so horribly wrong.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When something terrible happens, we often wonder why. And something terrible has happened and we are wondering…

I see drivers tempt death and survive everyday. I know most of you have never met Darrell Hannah, but he is quiet, laid back and so unassuming. He works hard, long days with a long commute. I have never heard him complain. He is loyal, and he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.

Case in point, he stopped to help strangers along the road…Why this accident, why this day, why these people….yes, a lot of circumstances had to be aligned for this to happen…

How?

I know God can move mountains. He is almighty. I know all things happen to God’s good purpose.

All things. I can still hear Pastor Guito Pierre from the First Haitian Baptist Church say this repeatedly during the prayer vigil at Shepherd of the Hills UMC. He told of the loss and devastation to his country, to his people, to his family – from the earthquake in January. Through his pain, in his pain, He still claimed, ALL THINGS work according to God’s purpose.

That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:28 The Message

What does this mean? What does the future hold? How will the story end?

I don’t know.

Darrell is blessed with a good long term prognosis, but it is hard to imagine that any pain and suffering will turn out good…

I see my friend Tammy and her beautiful family bravely facing the pain of cancer. They know what is coming, they have seen it before. And the long term prognosis is good. But it is still so hard to believe that that any pain or suffering could turn out good…

I know that anytime our hearts are broken, it is an opportunity for God to shape them. I know without some of my own pain and suffering, I wouldn’t be who I am today. And I am a better person than I used to be. I know that many teachers that only invest their time in correcting students that they know they haven’t reached their full potential. Is this extra attention from our teacher a blessing? Is there some potential in us to be discovered through these circumstances?

Is it possible for tragedy to be an opportunity?

I don’t know, but I pray so.

I would like to ask for prayers regarding this. Please pray that God will reveal Himself in the midst of pain in an undeniable way. Ask that He use His Healing touch to mend our broken places and shape us into His ideal of beautiful. Ask that He reassures each of us with the knowledge that He has a plan for us, that it is perfect, and beyond what we can imagine. Ask Him to turn our suffering into miracles.

Yes, pray big with great expectations.

Our God is an awesome God. He can move mountains, parts seas and even change hearts and minds.

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 New Living Translation

Jamie Blankenship