Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Always the Unexpected

I pastor a small church, and the only other employees who work any significant number of hours are the secretary and the custodian couple.

Early this morning our secretary of thirteen years, age 47, died of a heart attack.  She and her husband have no children.  Her nursing-home bound mother told me today that her husband died of cancer when their daughter was thirteen months old, and so for most of their lives it was just the two of them, until her son-in-law came into the picture.

I don't even have a breath of protest left in me.  It just is.





16 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to hear this. Prayers for your church family.

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  2. Oh, Robin...prayers for everyone.

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    1. I do know thatb I'm barely significant in the grand scheme of things, but I'm starting to feel like the angel of death.

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  3. Robin, prayers for all who loved your secretary and a special prayer for you as you have such a responsibility in the next few days as you support everyone.

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  4. Hugs to you and your church family, Robin. I will keep you all in prayers, and in my heart.

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  5. My prayers are with your church family, Robin.

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  6. Oh, Robin...how heartbreaking. Sending warm hugs.

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  7. Thank you all so much for the prayers. Her funeral will be at her own church, but on Sunday we are of course called to worship. Wouldn't you know, the text is one of those Pauline "in all things" passages?

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  8. I get overwhelmed for you just reading this post. Robin, all I know to do is pray for strength for you and for the family who must deal with such loss. ((0))

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  9. Robin- my heart hurts for you, for all who know and love her and for your church. You are not the angel of death but rather one who knows that God is with us even in and through these heartbreaking times.
    Praying for God's peace
    Celeste

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  10. Oh my that had to be such a shock and unexpected. Sometimes the only response it...it just is.

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  11. Dear Robin, I am so very sorry to hear this. You & your church are in my thoughts & I pray for comfort for you & all who knew her. May God's tender love minister to each one of you.

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  12. Dear Robin, I just now saw this post. I'm so sorry. What a devastating and unexpected blow--especially for this woman's husband and elderly mother. Prayers arising for them, for you, and for the community.

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    1. Her mother is lovely. She told me some wonderful stories yesterday.

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  13. I rarely saw death till my son's. Now I see it and hear it everywhere. Yes, I know people are dying. Obviously that's nothing new. It just hurts so much and wearies the soul. And why so often close to us? It is hard to fathom. I am so sorry for you all, Robin.

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