Tiffany-Heart of the Matter

On Saturday, the day went on as usual, for me at least. Paige, Laura and I ran some errands, and I spent the afternoon with the kids at the church (I really love hanging with them!). On my way home, I was met in the street by Paige, Laura, and Mika telling of how our sweet friend Anita’s son died earlier that morning.

He was 8 years old.

I couldn’t help but think about the chaos that had happened that morning. I can only imagine the feeling she had when she awoke to find that her son had stopped breathing in the night, and was not going to wake up.  When we saw her later that day, she looked shocked, sad, and exhausted.

In America, we often need a justification for death. If you die unexpectedly, your family gets an autopsy done. We were able to see, firsthand, what happens when people die here. There is no autopsy. There is no justification.

Today, was Mikael’s funeral. We all showed up at a village right down the street at 2pm. After a few words, the wooden casket, with the tiny 8 year old in it, was carried to the street. He was put onto the back of a pickup truck, mom and dad in the front seat, men guarding the casket in the bed. The rest of us piled into car upon car. The ride to the church was uncomfortable. Bumpy roads and jam packed cars do not make for the most pleasant ride.

When we got to the church, all of us piled out of the cars. As we proceeded into the church, we partook in a service. I can’t tell you what was said…mainly because I can’t speak the language, but what I can tell you, is that almost the entire time I watched Anita. Hoping for her to glance my way so I could at least flash her a loving smile.

Anita looked down most of the service. As we all headed to the graveside, I still hoped that she would look up, but she didn’t.  When we got to the graveside, she stayed in the car. She watched out the window as they buried her son.

Since Saturday, I have had the burning question of “was he a believer?” I can’t answer that question.  I am not God and cannot see the hearts of men, but it brings this verse to mind:

“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20

Did anyone even try to share with him? David Platt has a quote that goes something like this, “every day people are dying with the only knowledge of God that will send them to hell.” I am continually being wrecked by that quote. Jesus “is the way, the truth, and the life. And no one comes to the Father except through Him.” People are dying every day, with the only knowledge of God that will send them to hell.

Who have you told today? Who’s eternity is forever changed because you were obedient to the call “go and make disciples?”