“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work…

To know and be known. The idea tumbled around jumbled with other thoughts like clothes in a dryer––tossed about, fragile, uncertain. I studied faces that have been part of my days for many years in this desert place, as we drove to a moment where our stories would once again converge.

I thought about their stories and mine and how they intertwined…our children hunting eggs in a backyard of this foreign land and building sandcastles in another, conversations that always outlasted our coffee, teaching one how to plan lessons, standing shoulder to shoulder with another to lead an amazing team, how that one always gave a new scarf at Christmas—even though it was not a holiday celebrated by her people.

I thought about the story weaving us together; each of our threads interlaced in shared grief. We entered the grieving room, greeting each family member, whispering words of condolence, choking back tears, kneeling to hug our love into the youngest. How six young lives of this family had entwined into our hearts and our stories tangled up together, from preschool giggles to Jr. High angst to graduation celebrations.

I thought about how our boys sat together just last week.

I set aside my tumbling thoughts as we remembered together the places where our stories joined. I shared the only Truth that made sense. “My son was with him since preschool. I don’t understand. But our Holy Book, the Bible, says that because he was a child, he will go right to Heaven. He will be in a place with no tears, and no sadness….”

Weaving hope in sadness and tears and shared stories.To know and be known. It tumbled to my heart at the place where our stories converged. It wrapped fragile and uncertain thoughts with the comfort of shared experience, binding them together. Binding us together.

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Friends of an MAF missionary family (in one of the restricted areas where we serve) are grieving the unexpected death of a young son. Would you please join us in praying for their comfort and peace, which only the Lord can provide.