Death Of Spouse
"No matter how numb I feel, I can never interpret my numbness as God's absence in my life."
-Tammy Trent
On September 10, 2001, Trent Lenderink died in an underwater diving accident in Jamaica, leaving behind his wife of 11 years, Tammy Trent. The young couple, in their early thirties, said good-bye to each other that morning on the beach.
On September 10, 2001, Trent Lenderink died in an underwater diving accident in Jamaica, leaving behind his wife of 11 years, Tammy Trent. The young couple, in their early thirties, said good-bye to each other that morning on the beach. By the next afternoon, Tammy was officially a widow. Adding to her shock was the pain of being stranded for another eleven days in Jamaica due to the events of September 11 in the United States.
In the video, Tammy shares the following:
She wondered, “How will I get through something like this?”
She questioned, “How can this be good for my life?”
She found that “God is completely committed to me and my circumstances.”
She decided that just as she believed when she was a young girl, she would continue to believe now.
Words to Live By:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28 (NIV).
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10 (NIV).
Dr. Ron’s Perspective:
One moment life can be rolling along smoothly and suddenly, a traumatic life event occurs. It catches you off guard and shakes the foundation of your world. Anxiety, fear and depression are common emotional reactions. You might experience sleepless nights and a prevailing sense that life will never be the same. This can also be a time of uncertainty and insecurity. You may wonder, “Why me? Why now? What does the future hold?” This can be a powerful opportunity where one’s faith can be challenged and the purpose of life contemplated, perhaps for the very first time. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of your life, strengthening your faith by putting your trust in God. Talk to him, the One who already understands your fear and wants to comfort you. He is waiting and ready to listen. You are never truly alone!
Grace Notes by Philip Yancey
“I believe in the resurrection primarily because I have gotten to know God. I know that God is love, and I also know that we human beings want to keep alive those whom we love. I do not let my friends die; they live on in my memory and my heart long after I have stopped seeing them” (113).
Recommended Resources:
The Problem of Pain -C.S. Lewis
The Gift of Pain -Philip Yancey
The Reason for God -Tim Keller
