Sunday, we got the devastating news that our neighbor was killed in a motorcycle accident.  We have known his family since moving into our neighborhood in 2009.  He was always nice to talk to.

They always have the most lights in the neighborhood. A sight to see!

His grandkids live with him and his wife, so naturally our kids often go over to their yard and play.  They also often walk to school together.

Last night, Erica and I had to talk with Jude and Avery about the whole scenario.  We were eating around the dinner table.  Laughing and joking around about the day.  We joke so often.  In fact, our kids’ sense of humor is even stronger than ours.  So, those of  you who really know us know that is a lot of humor.  Anyway, it was difficult to get the conversation to a point where we could break the news to them.  I said, “Guys, I have to tell you some sad news.”  They both started smiling.  “No… this is serious.”  Erica chimed in to help settled the tone, “Guys, this is really serious.”  They both settled and got a serious look on their face.

I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to actually tell the very short story that we had been told.  Their faces were so solemn.  It is difficult for us to expose something to our kids that will break their heart.  We want to protect them everyday from anything troubling.  However, life often hits us hard.  We  have to learn ways to reveal truth.  These are situations where we can all learn to trust in God and ‘lean on him’.

“Guys, Mr Johnson was in a really bad accident on his motorcycle and he didn’t make it.  He died.”

Both of their faces sank.  They slowly started eating again and there was silence for a while.  Erica said, “Do you have any questions?” Jude wanted to know what actually happened.  We didn’t know the details so we told him that.  We discussed it a bit more and Jude finally said, “I am having trouble processing this.”  (He is 8yrs old)

We all are looking for ways to process difficult news.  What is our frame of reference?  Do we see life ‘with windows’? Or do we see this life as the end of everything?  If we view life with windows, then we understand that this life is important, but it is not the only one.  During our life, we look out spiritual windows and see glimpses of eternity.  The windows allow us to have hope that at the end of this life (when we walk through the door of death) we will move to another world.  Without these windows, we live in a dark existence.  Fearful of every move because it could be the last of everything.

Viewing the world with eternity ‘windows’ doesn’t make all the pain of death go away, however, it gives us a frame of reference.  A way to process.  We pray and then the Spirit of God brings comfort.