"Jesus wept."

"When Jesus saw her [Mary] weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, 'Where have you laid him [Lazarus]?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept." (John 11:33-35)

During the past few weeks we have seen tragedy [from our perspective] disrupt the lives of two of our dear families in our class: Justin & Jacqueline Smith and Malcolm & Tilly Brooks.

On Friday, January 20th, Justin and Jacqueline Smith were given the heart-breaking news of the sudden death of Justin's step-brother, Jonathan Murray. After graduating from Northview High School in 2002, Jonathan attended Huntington College before joining the U.S. Army. By the age of only 32 years old, Jonathan had sacrificed a part of his short life defending our freedoms as a soldier twice-deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. We owe all of the veterans and those who are currently serving in our military our sincere gratitude for their bravery and sacrifice.

In the early hours of Saturday morning on January 28th, God unexpectedly took Jurnee Makayla Brooks from Malcolm and Tilly Brooks. Less than three months old, precious Jurnee returned to be with Jesus.

Today [February 4th] we stood by the Brooks family as they mourned the loss of baby Jurnee in one of the most moving, Spirit-filled services I have attended in some time. My heart was blessed by being there.

It is times like these that we often ask "Why, Lord?" We must remember that God's sovereign plan is much bigger than we can see. He is always in control. Psalms reminds us, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalms 34:18)

As these two families grieve the loss of their loved ones, let us all "...weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15b) and be in prayer that God might comfort them. God has placed them in our fellowship for a purpose. Ask God what He would have you do to show love to these families. Jesus commanded us that it is our responsibility to "...love your neighbor as yourself..." (Mark 12:31). In doing so, you will be blessed through your obedience.