The death of a family member is hard to digest, no matter which way you slice it. And seems like it is particularly anguishing when a parent experiences the loss of a child, because you’re supposed to be the one that goes first, after they are all raised and can take care of themselves. But I wonder if somehow we don’t discount kids’ feelings, particularly when it’s the other way around, when a young child loses a parent. It’s not supposed to be that way either, security and love and guidance from a parent all gone – left on the shoulders of the other parent, or other family and friends – before they are raised and can take care of themselves.

   It was an odd, but divine intersection of those two sentiments at services Sunday night before last, when Jerris was giving another rousing lesson. As Jerris does, he was moved by the Spirit in proclaiming God’s word and his voice and sermon were crescendoing. His topic was related to where is God when we deal with suffering and where is God when bad things happen, and is God good? And in his sermon he shared his very personal struggle to deal with this question, when he held his 4 and a ½ year old son as he passed away. A very powerful moment. And in his sharing, he asked with a booming voice “When you’re holding your 4 and a ½ year old son who has just passed away, is God good?” A direct, penetrating question – demanding an answer.

   An answer came. From a small, but booming voice as well. Over in the corner. From 4 and a ½ year old Kyle Roth. For those of us old-timers at Manassas who are still trying to become acquainted with our new members, Kyle is the youngest of the 5 Roth kids. His shoe was on the other foot from Jerris, as recently he lost his father here on earth. So if there was anyone in the audience that could feel Jerris’s pain and sentiment and anguish, and despair, and ask the same question – it was no doubt Kyle, and the rest of his family as far as that goes. So when Jerris shouted the question is God good, demanding an answer, Kyle didn’t miss a beat and shouted back, out loud, for all to hear, in the middle of a sermon at its climax no less, “YES”!!!!

   For out of that which fills the heart, the mouth speaks.

   That was the end of the sermon for me. Lesson learned. No offense to Jerris who finished out with a powerful scriptural explanation on God’s care for us, and providence and love, and how He is right there with us, and how He is good. And how Jerris came to understand that himself in the midst of his own trials. And how that can shape us for greater service and love to God and others.

   But to hear it proclaimed by young Kyle out loud “YES!” – my what a moment. “YES!” God is so good. “YES!” I can’t let that go unanswered because I know the answer. “YES!” My heart is so sure of God’s love I have to stand up for Him. “YES” God is so good.
That’s surely something that can’t be discounted.

"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."
Luke 6:45