Three years ago

today

one of my best friends went to Heaven to be with his Savior and Ultimate Healer.

There are questions that I have that I may never have the answer to, but that is okay. Because the one answer that I have for certain and without any question is that God is in control, never changing, and is the holder of Truth.

Ever since the funeral, people have always told me that with time things will get better and easier for me, but I think we overuse this phrase. It is not time that has healed me or given me the strength and understanding to move forward, it is God who has used this concept called time that He has created, to assist this healing process.

There are many days of ups and downs and conflicting emotions, but I have never once felt angry with God. His presence has overwhelmed me with peace and comfort, and has used me in such a way to tell this story and hopefully change someone else’s life through it, for Jesus Christ. Yes I miss him constantly, yes there are days where I question why it had to happen, and why it happened the way it did, but these questions when asked to the right person, being God, can transform your relationship with Him; that is what it did for me! Heartbreak and tragedy turned into seeking and chasing a more intimate relationship with Him.

There are nights where I dream about my dad and even some days where I feel that I see him. I will never forget one night when I was at worship practice, I was leading a song and had my eyes closed. As the pews were empty, I opened up my eyes and felt as though I could see him sitting in the very back pew, just glowing, smiling, and worshipping along with me. That is how awesome our God is. He reveals himself to us every day in such marvelous and unique ways, and I was so blessed to be able to witness it that night!

Loss and suffering is hard. God never told us it would be easy, but what He did say is that He understands and He shares in our suffering. God understands loss and tragedy. He understood it the day that He lost His Son to die for you and me. So if you ever reach a point in your life where you experience this, always remember that you are not alone, and that Christ has already overcome this situation for you!

I will always miss my dad, but Christ has filled the emptiness that I had felt when He left this earth, and has assured me that I will never be fatherless, and neither will you!

Yours Truly,

Tara Branstetter