Mercies in Disguise

What if trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?
From the song “Blessings” by Laura Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=XQan9L3yXjc&NR=1

I was at Chris Tom’s memorial this afternoon. On Thursday, we prayed for his wife Iris and we also asked that today, God would be glorified and that we would all go home without heavy hearts. I felt the second request was extremely hard for even God to do. You see, Chris and his family served here for 8 years and for various reasons, they were going to go back home for good. They were supposed to have left on Monday but Chris was fatally wounded in a fireworks explosion the night before. The worst news of all for me was that their two sons were just a few steps behind him when the tragedy happened. I thought the whole scenario was just too gruesome and terribly sad. Yet, is anything too hard for God?

They talked about Chris not feeling much pain because of his severed nerves. He died in the ambulance because he lost too much blood on the way to the hospital.

Chris was honored; his life story was told. He lived a life of service: he loved children (his and others) especially the problematic and fatherless, a former dentist, a Sunday school teacher, a church planter, the morning playground monitor at school, a lover of music, a committed family man, and a man of prayer. I know I missed many more but suffice it to say that he lived his life well. Considering that he had a successful dental profession, it was amazing in itself that he left that and gave of himself. It didn’t look like doing much watching children play and keeping the balls when play time was over but my son for example grieved for him because his love shone. He lovingly served and it was felt.

A friend of theirs shared how she didn’t want anything to do with God because His standards were too high for her to measure up to. She declared that Chris was instrumental in helping her to see the Lord with new eyes. Apparently, she was a sleeping seed but the Lord used Chris to help her bear fruit. She also talked about how much she and the other children learned from the Sunday school teachings that he and Iris did. I know she was just one of many that had all kinds of stories to tell about him.

The pastor encouraged us to not let our hearts be troubled. From the same scripture he quoted Jesus preparing a room for His disciples in His Father’s house. He assured us that Chris went home to be with His God. =)

Songs of hope were sung and Chris’s favorite song, “Blessings”, quoted above. The emcee said Chris liked oldies but Laura Story is a contemporary Christian singer. She just won a Grammy for the same song above. Why she is part of the mix is the Lord’s grace in using his death to teach many of us about how He blesses but yet we don’t see it as such. Chris, a man of prayer, regularly prayed. He firmly believed in the one who answered his prayers. He must have prayed to teach well because the testimonies were telling today. Most of all, it’s because even in his death, he taught through his favorite song. Let’s learn the lesson well. It’s a good one. It’s why our hearts aren’t heavy. We can trust the Lord’s goodness and His blessings. The Lord answered our prayers mightily. =) He was glorified and we are grieving but full of hope.

Thank you, Chris. You exemplified your Lord Jesus well. We are blessed for having known you and seeing you in action. Thank you, Iris, for allowing me to write about Chris in this post. I am excited for you and your three sons and the wonderful blessings the Lord has in store for your future. He is too good to do otherwise. Praise Him. =)