“My God, my God why have you forsaken me, why are you so far from saving me.”
These are the words from Psalm 22 that Jesus quotes while he is on the cross, right before he dies. As the church prepares to surround Robb Martin and his children, Erik and Brittany, and his grandchildren, Natalie and Robert Wolfgang, we are feeling the same emotions as Jesus was experiencing.
We are raw and unfocused because of the accidental drowning of Angie. We are angry at the world, and it is okay to lash out in all of our pain and suffering to God, and ask “where exactly are you God?” Life is not fair, and we get angry at that.
But I believe that God will be with the Martins, and with us, in the next grief-stricken days, and weeks and years. In each hug given to Robb, God will be there. In each caring and compassionate word that is offered to Erik and Brittany, God will be there.
Dear God,
We need you today, more than we have ever needed you. We want your presence at the visitation and at the funeral. Please send your Spirit right now to carry us through. Carry us now, because we cannot make it on our own.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. AMEN