Life is Not Easy

I don’t have to tell you that life is not easy. From relationships to finances to illness and death, life is not easy.

Like many others, (my wife) Martha’s family has experienced loss. On New Year’s Eve, Martha’s only brother and last living sibling passed away at his home in North Georgia. Martha and I are gathered with their family this week to remember Tommy and to encourage one another. Tommy is survived by his wife Dorothy, five children, and many wonderful grandchildren.

Martha is the baby of her family. Her siblings were all teenagers when she was born. All three have passed away over the last three years. Her oldest sister died at the end of May 2018.

Not having experienced the loss of a sibling, I can’t fully imagine what Martha is dealing with but many of you can. I do know that there is something of great loss and the feeling of being alone.

While we know that life is not easy, we also know that God is very present with us and that He will never forsake or leave us. We can all be comforted to know that Jesus knew about death. He knew about the death of friends (He wept when Lazarus died), and He knew what it was to face death and to die. He is the great Comforter because of His deity and His humanity.

We take comfort in Him and because we have been comforted, we can comfort others. Paul wrote of comfort in this way: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

Martha and I both would appreciate your prayers during this time.

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22 Responses

  1. So sorry to hear of Tommy’s passing. I cannot imagine her feelings at this time. Deepest sympathy and prayers for her and and all of his family.

    1. I feel your pain I the last year I have lost my wife also a brother and sister two years ago my prayers are with you

  2. Martha, I will be praying throughout the day for you and your family. May each one be comforted like a blanket of peace and strength.

  3. Martha and Waylon,
    My heart breaks for your family. The pain of losing a sibling is a deep hurt that is hard to put into words. My prayers are with you both and our family.

  4. Martha, We’re so sorry for your loss and the loss of your brother’s family. We will be praying for you that the strength of God will come upon you. Love you, The Bardwell’s

  5. Tommy’s family & all of you are in my prayers. May God surround you in love and give you rest.
    As I also move through the passing of my brother this December I am reminded that God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble. Hold close to God.

  6. Thank so much for your message today. On this New Years Day my sister,only sibling,was diagnosed with MDS,ore leukemia. Thanks for the comforting words and our sympathy to your family.

  7. I’m so very sorry, Martha and Waylon, that you are experiencing yet another loss. I’ve read Tommy’s name on the prayer list week after week, and have prayed for him. May you both feel the compassion and comfort of our Lord that you spoke of above, Waylon…

  8. I am praying for Martha and you that you will experience the wonderful assurance, peace, and comfort that comes through the presence of our God when life is not easy.

  9. Praying for both of you. My condolences to you and your family. I can imagine the hurting, I too have been through the same. But you know God has got this.

  10. Martha and Waylon, I’m so sorry for your lost. I know how it feels to be the youngest and only living sibling. The lost of common ground is daunting. May the Lord comfort you and give you peace as you take up the reins of matriarch and enter a new era.

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