Where is God?

Everything held promise. A beautiful Church wedding followed by a fun-filled reception. Husband and wife prepared to meet the world with love and excitement. It was all going according to plan. The loving couple blessed with three children. School days and holidays and summer days spent growing together, laughing, arguing, embracing.

And then, as happens often, the job loss. Mom back to school, doing homework next to the kids. A full time job to help support the family. Husband and wife working together to raise their beautiful family, struggling in tight job markets and working through health issues. Still together, still trying to love, even through the tough times. The kids continue to grow, heading off to college and marriage and lives of their own.

But somewhere along the line was a huge disconnect. The kids stopped communicating, stopped coming home for special holiday family time. The kids voiced hurtful accusations about those years when Mom worked full time to help support the family. One took a path so different, so unexpected, so hard to understand. She worked to stay supportive, to love through the pain. Their lives were challenging, difficult.  Then her father – her rock and voice of wisdom – died.

She questioned, “Where is God? I can’t hear Him, can’t feel His presence.” Trite answers bring no comfort. Platitudes about “God’s plan,” or “Just keep praying” ring hollow. It’s true that sometimes silence is deafening. But she is strong, determined, still harboring a small flicker of hope. She won’t give up.

Another health scare, an unfounded allegation at work. It’s too much. But miracles happen. She went back to Church and felt her father’s presence. She got a new job in a new field. She would start fresh. Once again, everything is full of promise. And that flicker of hope that is God, that almost got lost in the pain and grief, burns a little brighter for her now. God was always there; God is the miracle.