I left an appt today dreaming about S. Africa and the beauty, simplicity and love of the people I encountered there.

I drove into a phone call telling me about a 13 year old killing himself.  He was in despair.  There was nothing he could find to relieve his pain.

Tears of joy turned into tears of sorrow.  Memories of smiles twisted to visions of a family’s worst possible nightmare coming true, embracing each other in unbearable distress.

My heart aches for that family.  The memories of S. Africa soothe me as I think of the God of comfort bringing love and peace to a realm of need and despair, a God who can put a smile on the face of an orphaned child, who can have them singing of his love. Tonight I long for that God to bring that same peace to the family of Hunter.  May they know the love I saw in S. Africa, the peace of the savior who brings calm in chaos, who calms the storms of the greatest imaginings and fears.  He is the God who understands ache no matter where it lives. I am counting on him again tonight.