Welcome to this week’s edition of the Five Minute Friday link-up!
If you’re new, you can learn about the link-up and how it works here.
This week’s Five Minute Friday writing prompt is: VOID
Setting my timer for five minutes, and . . GO
I realize it’s been quite a “down” mood over here these last few weeks since my son’s best friend died, but that’s just where we are right now. Attempting (somewhat in vain) to learn how to live with the void that has been left behind.
Today I woke up to the news that some dear friends of ours lost their eight-year-old son after a six-year health battle.
How long, O Lord?Â
We weep with them. My heart cannot imagine such a pain.
Such a deep, dark void that will never be filled.
He was such a bright light. Even though he endured countless surgeries, procedures, nights in the hospital, rounds of chemo and radiation, more poking and prodding and puking and seizures . . . He always had a smile. And he knew how to make other people smile. He could light up a whole room with a word. And boy, did he love Jesus. At just eight years old, he adored Jesus and knew he had great things to look forward to in heaven with Him.
The ache is raw. For his parents, brother, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, friends near and far . . . the hole he has left behind will remain until Christ returns or calls them home.
Still, we thank God for the privilege of witnessing this bright light while it was given to us.
STOP.
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If you have a void in your own life or know someone else who does, this is for you:
NEW RESOURCE
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Join the link-up with your own five-minute freewrite below, then visit your link-up neighbor to read their post and leave an encouraging comment:Â
A smiling face is in the ground,
a laugh so loved is gone,
and though the bloody world goes ’round,
I’m really truly done.
What, God, were you thinking?
Why this and why now?
Maybe you were drinking?
I really cannot see just how
a child is cast into the fire
while politicians dance and sing.
I think from faith I may retire
unless You ou, Lord can bring
answers, please, for what You’ve done…
and then I see tears for Your Son.
Thank you, Andrew. xx
My heart breaks for you, my friend.
That is so heartbreaking. There are no words — although Andrew’s sonnet comes close.
Prayers for comfort and peace for the little boy’s family, and for you as well.
So sorry for all of this pain and loss you are experiencing, Kate. You of all people have many tools to cope with grief and to help bring comfort to those in mourning around you, but yes, how long Lord?