It is with a grieving and sorrowful heart that I greet you this evening, Miss Choi, as I read the continued unfolding of the devastating loss being experienced in
and around Seoul, South Korea connected to the ferry incident. Earlier, I read where US President Obama, in a visit there
yesterday, remarked "I can only imagine what the parents are
going through at this point, the incredible heartache." Hearing the President’s
statement reminded me of a song titled “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe that was
played at the funeral of a dear, older lady friend that I attended recently which
was very comforting and moving. I found a version
of the song by Wynonna Judd who spoke about it being so instrumental in her
dealing with the passing of her father: http://youtu.be/tlv62wB4VNs. It is very inspirational and uplifting should you choose to listen to it. Her message about “that song” is absolutely correct in my opinion – the one that enables you to be lifted up and out
from the surrounding circumstances and have your eyes rightly fixed upon the One
who is the source of true comfort and consolation. It was that
way for me when we had to decide to let my Dad pass on after suddenly suffering a massive
stroke in Aug 2004 less than 4 years after returning from missionary work in Karaganda, Kazakhstan – the name of that song was “We Will Abandon It All” by
Steven Curtis Chapman. I can only pray and hope that for so many suffering
through such tragic loss right now that at some point, probably not today or
tomorrow, but some day not far in the future they will, through a song and/or other grace means, have their heads lifted by the
One, who she’s singing to, and their eyes fixed upon Him to find the only
lasting comfort, consolation, and healing that is available. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
