Somewhere Down the Road

Photo Credit: teleusers.com

So much pain and no good reason why

You've cried until the tears run dry

And nothing here can make you understand

The one thing that you held so dear

Is slipping from your hands

And you say

Today I attended a memorial service for the fourteen-year old grandson of some very dear friends of my parents and mine. He lost  his life in a car accident just days after graduating from eighth grade. An unlicensed drunk driver is to blame. You can imagine the anguish his family has been enduring. 

Why, why, why

Does it go this way

Why, why, why

And all I can say

I happened upon that accident, shortly after it happened, on my way to my niece's house to pick up Michaela after having a rare (and very early) "moms' night out" with a friend. At that time, I had no idea what was going on, but I did think I saw the grandfather on the opposite corner. However, I couldn't imagine what he would be doing there. About a half hour later I would come to know.

Somewhere down the road

There'll be answers to the questions

Somewhere down the road

Though we cannot see it now

Somewhere down the road

You will find mighty arms reaching for you

And they will hold the answers at the end of the road

The memorial service gave me a glimpse into this young man's gregarious personality, and how beloved he was to those who knew him. There must have been close to a thousand people in attendance. His community of family and friends rallied and donated money, food, and time to make today's service happen. It was really amazing.

Yesterday I thought I'd seen it all

I thought I'd climbed the highest wall

Now I see the learning never ends

All I know to do is keep on walking

Walking 'round the bend, saying

This young man and his family are believers. They know the Lord, and their faith is strong. Their hearts are broken, but they know the One who heals broken hearts. Their faith was shared today, and surely someone in that crowd needed to hear about Jesus. I hope and pray that this tragedy will in some way have an Eternal impact on someone in their circle. But we can't see that far right now.

Why, why, why

Does it go this way

Why, why, why

And all I can say

I do know that cancer led to Michael's salvation, and that Michael's conversion and death led to my brother-in-law's salvation. God is the God of redemption. He redeemed the tragedy in our life, and blessed me with Michaela. Nothing replaces the loved one who's gone Home ahead, but we know that we will see them again. This separation sucks, but it is temporary. Some day we will be reunited with our loved ones, and then we'll never have to say good-bye again.

Somewhere down the road
There'll be answers to the questions
Somewhere down the road
Though we cannot see it now
Somewhere down the road
You will find mighty arms reaching for you
And they will hold the answers at the end of the road

(Somewhere Down the Road, lyrics by Amy Grant & Wayne Kirkpatrick)