Food for thought

A student walked into my office one day to tell me he no longer believed in God. How long had he been shacking up whit his girlfriend, I asked. Angry at first, he eventually admitted that, yes he was sleeping with his girlfriend, although he said he couldn't see what that had to do with his intellectual doubts about the existence of God. I pointed out that the God he believes in dosen't allow him to exploit women sexually; and because he enjoys that behavior, he is attempting to jettison the God who would condemn his behavior. This student's doubt is not the result of intellectual reflection, but of disobeying the norms of his beliefs.
-Tony Compolo
Exerpt from Adventures in missing the point pg 252

SURVIVOR

10 years ago today my oldest son Shaun went to see Jesus and stayed. Around 3:00 on a beautiful friday afternoon---Just like Jesus!

I too was changed forever on that day.

I am thankful that Jessica was allowed to stay here on earth for a while yet.

I am not the same person I was before he died,

I am different now, I no longer think everything will be OK.

I know that awful things happen to faithful Christian people.

I know that Jesus is real beyond any doubt

I know He held my broken heart in his nail scared hands until it was mended back together.. ..He has never let go of me!

I know there will always be a scar from that Broken heart, I will never be the same.

I know the power of others peoples prayers.

I know that my wonderful living children are partially who they are because of the death of their older brother.

I know who my real friends are.... the ones who are not afraid to mention Shauns name, or give me a hug when they don't know what else to do or say--even now 10 years after his death, they remember him. THANK YOU

I am thankful for my faithful friends who walked this awful path with me.

I am thankful for my husband and living children. They're all awesome.

I love them all, You have all helped me to become the new wife and mom I am today.

I had a hard time learning to like the new me.. I was ok with the before Shauns death mom/wife/Julie.. I didn't want to be who I am now.

I Thank you for supporting me and loving the new me.

I will never be satisfied with any reason that anyone gives for why Shaun died.... No reason is good enough for me

I will however love my living children in ways they would never be loved had Shaun not died.

I know that my children are a gift form God!

I know that they are not my children,

I now that they are on loan to me from God.

I will Love them while I can.

I know I will see Shaun when I too get to go to Heaven

I will trust Jesus EVEN when I don't understand.

I will never be the same again.

I am a survivor.