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A Contemporary Story: Why God, Why?
Kevin was now about 100kms away from his home. He had ceased noticing his surroundings or which little town he was in as he stopped to re-fill his car. Noticing a small motel across the road he drove in, parked and walked to the reception desk. Minutes later he was in a room with the bare essentials in it. Feeling emotionally drained Kevin threw himself on the bed. He closed his eyes and felt tears running down his face.
In a suburban home miles away Stella held their 5 year old son in her arms and rocked him. She no longer had tears as she held him close. Her arms were stiff from holding him in the same position since they returned from the hospital. Was it 2 hours or 5 hours ago? She didn’t know. It didn’t matter. Her lips moved in soundless prayer as they had done since their son was diagnosed with leukaemia. At first, they had made plans to ask for a second diagnosis. The verdict that his cancer was spreading rapidly and that there was nothing more that was medically possible was a severe blow to their hopes of a cure.
As the weeks passed the little boy lost his energy and his appetite. He would look at his parents with pain in his eyes pleading for help. At such times they felt more helpless than ever. No easy answers came to them. Family and friends visited often and offered help. They would do what they could and go away. A small group at Stella’s mother’s church had formed a prayer roster to pray for her son. The silence between Kevin and Stella was increasing. Their son’s pleading eyes were destroying their relationship. She had kept praying looking for signs that God was listening to her pleas. She wanted to believe that her prayers would give her hope – hope that modern medicine would bring a cure. She knew that praying gave no guarantee of healing. Yet she prayed as the child in her arms slipped away. Somewhere deep within her she began to feel that God was close to them. That her son would be safe.
In his room in the motel Kevin continued to shed tears. He knew he should have stayed with his son and Stella. He knew he should have given more support. He knew. He felt the anguish erupting from within him. He heard himself shout: “Why God, Why?” No answer came. Only tears and the silence that surrounded him.
Pray:
God who weeps with us, in the depths of a dust storm of fear and impossible questions, help me to know your presence in the darkness and feel your tears.