It’s been a tough few weeks. Shortly after Christmas, Jeff and Kassandra called me to share the devastating news that Noah, their beautiful three month old baby, who had been born with significant health concerns, had passed away. A few weeks earlier I had held Noah in worship as we celebrated his baptism. That same week I received news that a friend from our Plaistow campus, Matt, had contracted Covid and was not doing well. After an extended and valiant battle, Matt passed away last week. I'm heartbroken beyond words for Jeff and Kassandra, for Matt's wife Daryl and their young daughter Brooklyn.
This Friday is also the first anniversary of Nicole's passing. So I think it would be true to say that I have been in a “season of grief” as of late. But I want to tell you that through it all I have seen God's goodness. As these precious families have walked this difficult journey I have observed all the ways that God has been at work. God has brought inner healing of the Holy Spirit, and has surrounded them with people who have loved and supported them. It has brought joy to my heart to watch as God has cared for these families and to observe the way our church family has responded in such love and compassion.
Even for myself, as our family approaches this first anniversary of our own loss, I have seen God at work in such wonderful ways. I too have felt the love of this incredible community we call Rock Church. And have seen God working supernaturally in ways that have brought such joy to my heart. For example, yesterday, in a set of circumstances that could only be God, I had the opportunity to lead a man to Christ at Panera! Yup, we prayed together out loud right in the middle of Panera as he opened his heart to Jesus. God knows that there is nothing that brings me more joy than seeing someone give their life to Christ.
So, in the midst of grief, in the midst of struggle, God is still good. Psalm 34 says “the Lord is near to the brokenhearted.” I'm still heartbroken for these families that I love so much. But in the midst of it all, I have experienced the goodness of God. His comfort, His love, His help are so very present in our times of greatest need. Yesterday we held a celebration of life for Baby Noah. It was a beautiful, hope filled time of healing. This Sunday there will be a celebration of life for Matt Martin at our Plaistow campus. There will be visitation time with the family from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., with service beginning at 2:00 p.m.
There will be hard times in life. We will all have our seasons of grief, our setbacks, our hardships. But through it all, if we are observant, we can still see the goodness of God. I learned a long time ago that being a Christ follower doesn’t mean we won’t have struggles. But it does mean that, even in our hardest times, God is faithful.
This Sunday we will continue our series “New Beginning.” I hope you can all be with us, in person or online, as we continue this important exploration of how God is calling us to fulfill his mission in the days ahead.
I love you all,
Pastor Steve