Blessed in the midst of trouble

by Loria Versher
(Chicago, Illinois)

In January 1992 my dad suddenly passed away. He was sick and seemed to be weaker than ever before, but I assumed that being the fighter that he was, that he would beat this illness.

I knew of the Lord and "served" in church but was not abiding in Him. I asked Him why directly and spent many days crying in my pillow. Bondage for me was not understanding "blessed are they that mourn". It seemed that everyone was pointing me to that scripture.

My faith, trust and understanding were lacking when I asked the father why. He soon showed me why by the fact that 9 months after my dad's death, my son was born. He has many of the qualities that my dad had, but best of all I learned to look to God for the fatherly attributes I loved in my earthly father.

In abiding, I learned to accept His will and to see the blessings and miracles he performs for those that are grounded in him. Having a son also changed our lives. He became a reason for my husband and I to clean up our lives and today we are mature, grounded and centered enough to have a family life.

The fire of loss built strength, showed forth God's faithfulness and blessed us all in our sorrow.