IN THE MIDST OF THE BROKENNESS

I know it has been a while since the last blog for the Peterson family. We are so close with the great and loving family we have at St. Peter. St. Peter has been wounded and I hope these word's bring God's comfort during this time of deep pain.

Friday, April 17th, 2009 delivered a devastating blow to the body of Christ. The Engelhardts were not expecting death to show up, not Friday morning and certainly not in the manner it did.

Death has a way of always coming and it is never good, especially when it comes with such brutality and swiftness. Death knows no discrimination and this final enemy gives no quarter. Death takes the good, the bad, the rich, the poor, the young, the old, the healthy, the sick, those in want and those in need. Just as everyone is born, so everyone dies. Man and woman both go from the womb to the tomb. So many questions. What is the point of life? What does it mean to live? What does it mean to die? Why does death come? Why the Engelhardts? Why this way? Some say there is no rhyme or reason to life and death. Things are just the way they are. So much brokenness. Some say sin has entered the world and the result of sin is death. Does that help us? Is there an answer that gives hope? Is there hope in the midst of brokenness?

Answers are not to be found. Only silence. Just silence....BUT the body of Christ does not mourn without hope. Yes we hurt. Yes tears soak our pillows. Yes we ask hard questions. We do not have the answers, but we have the hope in the midst of this brokenness. Hope has broken through into this brokenness and hope sits with those who hurt. Hope is with us. Hope embraces us. We cannot see this hope, but we know the hope is with us, especially when we hurt in ways that cannot be fathomed.

Hope entered into our world through Mary's womb and hope did not stop until he conquered the tomb. Hope has defeated the grave and death has been swallowed up in hope. Hope does not quit. Hope does not disappoint. As we sit in the brokenness, we have this hope. Where? How? Through the word of God, our Father who sent his hope to his people. Hope is risen and hope is with us and for us. Hope will see us through this brokenness. Hope holds his people together.

The risen Christ is our only hope and he is with us now and evermore. He will not let go of his people. Our hope is on our lips and in our hearts. Because hope is risen, we are too, even though it does not feel like it. The feelings we feel are very real and they do hurt. There is a big hole in us, but this cannot change the reality which lies in our hope; in our Jesus.

May you, Jeff and Amanda receive our true hope and know that Jesus Christ sits with you in the midst of your brokenness. May God our Father continue to bring healing to your mother in both body and soul. May you both find comfort in Jesus Christ, our never ending hope.

The body of Christ is here for you and we are with you and for you.

In the name of Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

AMEN.