On March 15th, 1999, every parent’s worst fear came true for Matt and Cindy Lipscomb. After spending a fun “girl’s weekend” shopping in Chicago at the American Doll Factory with her three young daughters, Rainey (11), Lacey (9), and Jesse (5), Cindy was just starting to drift off to sleep in a cozy Amtrak train sleeping car when her worst nightmare became a reality. She was awakened by a sudden jolt and the entire train started shaking uncontrollably. Remembering that she had let her oldest daughters, Rainey and Lacey, join their cousins for a sleepover party a few cars ahead, she jumped to her feet to find her precious girls. Even her wildest dreams couldn’t have prepared her for what she was going to see. Fire and smoke filled the air as the train’s cars had flipped in a terrible derailing accident.Cindy’s husband, Matt, was awakened by his brother calling to inform him of this horrific accident. Not knowing any details other than the train that carried all the things in the world that Matt cared about most was in shambles, Matt jumped in a car and drove the four hours to get to his bride and his three young princesses. When he came upon the wreckage, grief and sorrow overcame him. His oldest daughters, Rainey and Lacey, had died instantly on impact.
I cannot imagine a greater tragedy or more heart-wrenching loss. Matt and Cindy braced themselves for the difficult weeks ahead and the unanswerable questions that would loom in their minds. Instead of fighting God, they embraced God. Instead of pointing fingers at each other, they lifted their hands in submission. A mysterious peace prevailed in their hearts that began to eclipse the nightmare. Rainey and Lacey walk in peace with God today.
Cindy says today, “I do know there is no better place to be when tragedy strikes than in the center of the body of Christ.”
My dear friend and brother in Christ, Dr. Gary Oliver, is one of the finest Christian counselors in America. He has labored through five bouts of cancer of the mouth and tongue. The treatments have been lengthy and debilitating. Surviving each round miraculously, Gary continues to walk in his faithful, optimistic mindset. Then in the midst of it all, the unthinkable occurred. His best hunting buddy, fishing buddy, and pal, his 20-year-old son was shot in a tragic hunting accident last spring. Two months later, his soul mate, lifetime lover, and wife Carrie died of breast cancer and a broken heart. A part of all of us who love Gary died that day. I drove to his home to sit by his side and listen. Tears of sadness flowed from his eyes like a heavy spring rain. He fought the monster of despair and depression and stood in solidarity of faith and resolved to see the sun rise like a mighty army. “How do you do it, Gary? How do you remain optimistic and peaceful?” I asked. In amazement, His reply was steady and determined. “I turn my grief into praise. I just turn my grief into praise.”
James says to “consider it all joy when various trials occur.” (James 1:2) It’s a great Bible lesson but tough to employ when inevitable tragedy strikes. For me, when leukemia and prostate cancer came out of nowhere like a rogue wind from a distant sea, I found peace like I’ve never known from 2 Corinthians 12: 9 & 10.
“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
My weakness, His strength. My weakness, His power. I am painfully aware of my weakness. Now, I’m learning daily about His untapped storehouses of strength.
As Gary, Matt, Cindy and I dive into the endless well of faith and the sufficiency of Christ, we find sufficient truth in God’s sovereign hand as He “causes all things to work together for good, to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”
Bitter or better.
Pity or praise.
Revenge or resolve.
It’s a choice. Joy is a decision. Happiness is always just one giant step of faith away.
Old Testament Viewpoint
Psalms 119:153-154; Psalms 118:14; Job 19:7-9, 17, 19, 23-26
New Testament Viewpoint
James 1:2-4; Romans 5:2-5; Romans 8:28; Hebrews 5:8
This text is attributed to Joe White of Men at the Cross. It is borrowed from session twenty of the Men at the Cross "One2Won - For Adults" discipleship handbook. The handbook is available as a FREE DOWNLOAD from the ministry of Men at the Cross. All praise be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Image by Dylan Luder
Blessings.
