The Accident

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Psalm 116:15

I was angry. The accident was senseless. Eloise had just left the hospital after visiting a sick neighbor. She was standing on the corner waiting for the light to change. For a moment she lost her balance and stepped into the street. An oncoming car ground into her, and she died instantly.

 Just like that, her life ended. Her family lost a wife and mother. I lost a special friend. No one could fill her place. We still needed her, but she was gone.

 The day of her funeral, the church was full. I took a seat in the back and struggled to control my tears. When the minister began to speak, I listened half-heartedly. I had already decided nothing he could say would comfort me. Then he quoted a verse that caught my attention: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15).

 Was that God’s outlook? I had been so caught up in my loss I hadn’t considered God’s perspective of Eloise’s death. As much as I valued Eloise, the verse reminded me God valued her even more. She was His beloved.

 And how about my friend’s perspective? Years ago Eloise had entrusted her life to God. She said He’d never failed her. As long as I’d known her, she was happy in their relationship. Now she was …at home with the Lord  (2 Corinthians 5:8). Surely she was happier than ever.

If God and Eloise were satisfied, perhaps I should try to let go of my anger and self- pity.

I knew I would continue to miss Eloise, but I left the funeral with a new feeling—gratitude. I was grateful for my time with her. God had blessed me through knowing Eloise. My life was richer because she had been my friend.

Father, thank you for godly friends. Help me be such a friend to others.

 Carol