ROCK OF OUR SALVATION

O come, let us sing to the Lord.

The unexpected arrives when we least expect it. . . . It was May 1976, and I was in California, finishing my first year of graduate school. Suddenly, there it was – my oldest sister Becky had died in a tragic car accident. Just 10 days before her 25th birthday, and she was gone. Still in shock from this news, I flew across the country to be with my family in New York state. That flight seemed to take forever, but it gave me time to gather strength. Amidst a sea of sadness, I wanted to bring hope to my grieving parents and siblings. The days that followed were a bit blurry, but somehow, each one of us managed to rise above despair.

Together, we celebrated my sister’s remarkable life with a beautiful memorial service. Accompanied by my brothers’ band, I sang “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (by Stevie Wonder) as a tribute to Becky. The words reflected her indomitable spirit, and the image of sunshine captured the essence of her sparkling blue eyes and platinum blond hair.

That experience forever changed my entire outlook on life. Dealing with the shocking death of a loved one requires us to examine our own spirituality more deeply. For me, it was a slow, gradual process, but I began to hear God’s voice more clearly. I stopped asking why this happened. Then, I learned to accept what happened. And finally, I discovered rich new meaning from this turning point in my life.

Of course, losing a beloved sister delivered a crushing blow to my happiness. But over time, I sought and felt Becky’s continued presence. Her enthusiastic approach to life was a gift that transcended clock time and local space. Indeed, I drew upon this gift as I journeyed forward in the months and years that followed, always remembering that life is precious and tenuous. Let each day be a brilliant song of joy.

Let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!

That single event fueled a renewed sense of compassion within me. In that loss, there was tremendous gain. Yes, I knew what a broken heart felt like, but the blessings of God’s grace and love had delivered me from sorrow. Hope was alive, and the power of faith restored my soul.

Today, as those around me cope with challenge and loss, I understand how tough it can be. But, I also believe that believing helps all of us to overcome the storms of life.

For the Lord is a great God. Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving.

— Melissa King

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist