He Gives and He Takes Away

Two weeks ago yesterday, I got word that the dad of some friends had tragically passed away that morning, August 13, 2007, while working in Rock Hill, SC. His twin sons, David and Andrew, were (and still are) good friends of mine from high school. After tragically losing my dad 13 years prior - almost to the day - to a heart attack, my heart broke into pieces when I heard the news. Losing a parent, no matter what your age but even more so when you are younger, is something I would not wish on my worst enemy.

The thing that I have learned in the past 13 years is that God always uses what He does for His glory. I had a friend in college who suddenly lost her dad just before finals of her freshman year and to be honest, when I heard what had happened, it felt like I was going through it myself all over again. But, God took me to her side and I was able to pray specifically for her that summer because I just knew. She told me later that of all the cards and letters she received from people, mine was the only one she remembered most. To be honest, I don't think I sent her more than just a verse.

When I went to see David and Andrew the day after their dad passed away, we walked into their house and I hugged both of them and their mom. All I said was what God gave me... "I'm sorry" and "I know" and "I'm praying for you." And they just hugged me tighter. While I don't fully know the pain they are going through, God has at least given me understanding so that I can pray more specifically for each of them, their mom, their wives, Andrew's "baby Scharff", their sister, her husband and their two children.

While it took me many years to see that God had to take my dad in order to glorify Himself (and I've only seen small pieces), it took me less than a week to see a part of why He called Wade Scharff home to Heaven. While I don't know that Wade Scharff could have picked me out of a crowd, I felt that I knew him by the end of that week. He was a godly man who loved his family and each person that he came into contact with. I realized that by the end of his memorial service that Friday that it turns out I did know him... because I know his sons. They love the Lord and live their lives for Him and the Son. They love their wives as Christ loves the church and as Wade loved Connie. They are great friends, amazing brothers and they are going to make wonderful fathers. I laughed as people told stories at the memorial service and I cried as we sang praises to the King. He truly does give AND take away. What blows me away is that I have NEVER been so encouraged and/or challenged in my Christian walk than I was by listening about the life of Wade Scharff a week and a half ago. I came out of that church a new person. Words on this screen will never be able to explain that.

David and Andrew were much closer to their dad than I was to mine and they had 13 more years with Wade than I had with my dad. But, each person is different and God's plans are different for each of us. I know that the Scharffs will make it through this because they are leaning on the only One who can give them the strength to go on. It took me years to get to that point - to realize that it's the one true God that deserves all the glory. Even though He takes away, He GIVES so much. And for that, I am thankful.