Faith Tested

Have you ever woke up to news that shook you to your core?  News so tragic you couldn't process it. News so sad you couldn't stop crying.  News you never expected to happen, let alone happen to someone you know.

That happened to me today.  Before I was a preschool teacher and before I was a first grade teacher, I worked with college students in student activities and residence life.  Many of these students have found me on Facebook, and I love hearing their news when I scroll through my newsfeed.  Because teaching took me away from Pennsylvania, physically keeping up with these students has become more and more difficult over the years.  Since discovering the positive power of my PLN on Twitter, I find myself checking Facebook less and less.  This morning when I saw a close friend had posted in a closed group we both belonged to curiosity got me to check.  When I read what he posted I was shocked and saddened beyond description.

One of my former students Stephen died last night, along with his wife Angela and their 3 children, when their house caught on fire.  I can't recall one conversation I had with Stephen, but I remember he was a great kid.  I remember him wishing me happy birthday in recent years on my Facebook wall and smiling big when pictures of his family showed up in my newsfeed.  I had to know more about this family. 

What I saw posted in the last week by Stephen and Angela was beautiful, breath taking, faith filled. I was inspired by Angela's post regarding their son's autism. One of their daughter's had survived a serious illness, and they had lost a baby girl named Faith.  Every post was genuine, honest and filled with love.  These parents were celebrating life's little miracles like their kids getting 100% on a test at school.  They were grateful for the chance to have fun with their children playing in the yard.  You could tell this family was getting it right.  They were living their faith and celebrating the joy of each day they had together.  What struck me most was that they weren't complaining about their struggles.  They were celebrating the blessing of being a family.

Angela had posted two graphics in the last week which caused me great pause.

These images caused me to cry uncontrollably.  I couldn't see how this tragedy could be part of a good plan.  As today has unfolded I have realized what I should be focused on is their faith.  It's the kind of faith I pray for every day.  Faith that leads me to live each day God gives me with the certainty of His love and that I will share His love with those I cross paths with daily.  No one knows when they will be called or how.   I am choosing to focus on their faith.  This family shared Christ's love every day.  

My prayer for the remainder of this school year is that every word and thought I have reflects Christ's love.  Especially when I am the most exhausted from the end of the year frenzy every teacher faces, I pray that I remember this sweet family and choose to trust, to have faith, and to celebrate joy.  My thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends.