Unexpected Loss!

July 23, 2020

Unexpected Loss!

My last conversation with Ms. Marilyn was wonderful.  She felt good physically and she was in a good place emotionally.  Oh, age was taking some toll on her energy as well as her ability to do all the things she used to do.  But, there was some real joy and a deep sense of gratitude that I had not heard in a while.

We visited about Ms. Marilyn’s family, her plans for the spring garden, her experiences on a recent mission trip, and some news about her church.  When our visit was over, we told each another that we loved one another.  When we hung up, I gave Jesus a little praise for a good conversation and a great friend.

I don’t re-call how I heard, but Ms. Marilyn died suddenly one night a couple of months after that conversation last year.   I visited with one of her daughters, I sent flowers, and I prayed for Jesus to comfort the family.  As the days passed after her death, I remembered our last conversation.  I said, “Thank You!” to Jesus.  But, there was still an emptiness deep inside; I had lost a dear friend!

Unexpected loss comes in many ways.  The death of someone we love, a dream that gets all busted up, or a turn of events we did not anticipate can leave us feeling deep loss.

Joseph was engaged to be married to Mary.  Like any man in love, I am sure Joseph bragged on Mary to all his friends.  I can imagine Joseph telling his friends that Mary is so innocent, she is so pretty, she is so intelligent, she is so humble, she is such a hard worker, she has so much faith in the Lord!

Joseph was so looking forward to their wedding day and spending the rest of his life with Mary.  And then, out of the blue Mary told Joseph an angel had visited her.  At first, Joseph was excited.  Then, he asked what the angel had to say. 

When Mary told Joseph she was pregnant, everything changed.  It was clear that the child was not his.  He wondered if Mary could be trusted; he felt betrayed, embarrassed, and angry…even if, as the angel said, the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit! 

Mary’s pregnancy was the last thing Joseph expected; he was consumed with feelings of loss!  For a while there was no hope, no peace, and no joy.  And then, the Lord spoke to Joseph.  In Matthew 1:20 the Lord says; “Joseph…do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Joseph’s unexpected loss is transformed by God’s unexpected Word.  The things that changed so unexpectedly were extraordinarily difficult.  And yet in the midst of his unexpected loss, God spoke a word that gave Joseph the strength and courage to continue through the pain of disappointment, doubt, and even despair.

The Word of God for Joseph became a promise of deliverance.  The baby that Mary was carrying inside of her is the Son of God; his name will be Jesus.  Jesus is born to save the lost and those who feel deep lose. 

Sometimes an unexpected loss comes our way.  We are left empty on the inside and burdened on the outside.  There is a kind of heaviness that steals away our hope, our energy, and our joy.  Like Joseph, we need a Word from God.  We need God’s unexpected love to touch our unexpected loss.

I imagine you know someone who is living under the heavy burden of an unexpected loss.  They are down with a disappointment or guilt or trauma that will not ease up.  They are struggling with despair or discouragement or yet another failure.  The unexpected loss is stealing away their joy and their hope.

I encourage you to visit with your friend this week.  It might be a conversation like my conversation with Ms. Marilyn; encouraging, uplifting, and inspiring!  I invite you to pray for your friend and, if possible, pray with them that Jesus will fill the emptiness and ease the burden of their unexpected loss.  When that happens, you and your friend will delight in the Lord.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug