"When Sparrows Fall"

Brett Merrick pastor of Reality Santa Barbara reflects on his 9 year-old daughter's fight with cancer and openly shares his struggles as she was diagnosed with cancer for the 4th time:

"When Sparrows Fall"

If you don't have time to listen to the 54 minute video, fast forward to the end (at 20 minutes left) and listen to Brett share about his struggles over the past 3 years.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  Matthew 10:28-31

When studying the Bible about suffering, I've to found that God doesn't answer the question of "Why?" Instead, He points us to "Who".  Like with Job...or Lazarus.

Note: I wrote this post last week but never published it.  This morning when checking Daisy's blog, I found the following post:

At 2:40am this morning our sweet Daisy went to be with Jesus. She was sleeping and in no pain. Christ is with us as the God of all comfort. We are thankful.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
Daisy believed this and so do we. More than ever.
Love,
The Merricks
(At this time funeral plans are still forthcoming. Please check back this week for more info and details.)

I have never met the Merrick family or attended a Reality service, but their honesty and transparency through their struggle has been inspiring.  Daisy's death comes at the beginning of lent when as Christians we reflect on the final days of Jesus leading up to his death and resurrection.  A time to ask ourselves: Do we really believe this?  Even in the death of a child.  A terminal diagnosis.  An unknown future.

And if we do believe John 11:25-26, are we bold enough to risk our reputation and friendships to tell and show others the hope we have received?

Let us not love with words or tongue but with in actions and in truth.  

1 John 3:18