Beauty In Pain

Two weeks ago my nephew Davyon was shot and killed. It was a tough time for me and my family, and it still is. He was so young and hadn't really started to live his life yet. He was only 23 years old. The way he died is a major source of pain for us. “Man...if only he had been home and didn’t take that ride.” That’s what I keep thinking to myself. I’ve also found myself wondering, “Where is God in all of this? What’s beautiful about it?” 

 The more I thought about this the more I realized: God was and is right here. He never left us. He was there to comfort us in the middle of all that was going on. He was there through Pastor Kyle, who stood by me like a rock. He was there through Tapestry church, who prayed constantly around the clock asking God to bring my family peace.

Davyon’s funeral service is this Thursday. His friends will be there in full. Many of whom have never heard the gospel proclaimed. Here is the beautiful thing: God will use this opportunity to make known the beautiful message of the gospel. I know through hearing the good news about Jesus someone will come to Christ, and that’s beautiful. Davyon didn’t die for nothing, and the beauty of his life will live in those who come to Jesus.

We can be sure that there are beautiful things that God is doing even in the middle of really painful things that happen to us, or we see happening around us. We just have to ask God to help us see them. At Tapestry Church this year, we are asking God to help us see the beauty in our neighborhoods and our own lives even when it seems like we’re surrounded by ugliness. We hope that as you join us on this journey, you too can find the beauty in the midst of your pain.