Very emotional article, losing mom to hit and run

Read this article about a family who is carrying on without their loving mom, who was struck and killed while walking with her daughter. The driver of the car ran but has been identified and charged, with the case slowly working its way through court. But this article is so special because it so very well captures the unbelievably sad hole that is left when a wife and mother is lost in such a pointless way. It is a reminder to everyone not to take a good husband or wife, mother or father for granted. I know that when my father died, though of an illness, not a crime like this, when I was only eight, nothing can ever really take his place. I was blessed with a stepfather who was a very good man, although he came along just before I was ready to leave the house for college.

Anyway, do read the article about this wonderful family.

http://www.projo.com/news/content/AGUIAR_07-06-08_N8AKL97_v58.3a396ed.html

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I have to comment about the uneasiness with those who "comfort" people by saying that God "took" their loved one. This is a modern expression and characterization that while well meant has lost its previously proper basis in theology and faith.

God certainly did not send some drunk to mow this woman down because "it was her time" and "God needed another angel in heaven." Where this has crept into the comfort and condolence language, even among pastors, is that it is a distortion of accepting "God's will." It's God's will that people run around and manage their own lives, and that includes things like discovering technology like the automobile, and manufacturing beverages including liquor. So God's will is that human have been given the Commandments, the holy books, the Savior and many authentic prophets in the past to direct how humans should handle their "free will" God given capability.

Pastors of several hundred years ago would NEVER have said "God took her" or "God needed another angel" and impugn that this was therefore a deliberate act by God himself. Pastors and the faithful understood that it is God's will (that humans exist and therefore sorrow exists in the world) and that God has taken her to heaven (because that's where good and pious people go). Everyone in the Christian faiths well understood the difference between God's will and the outcomes of actions versus God sending someone to zap an innocent person just because some clock has run out or because "God's lonely." Sheesh.

So the family is well within their rights to be disconcerted by such ham handed and theologically incorrect condolence, however well meant that it may be. Pastors have a responsibility not to go along with societal sloppy thinking that results in such inaccurate canards.

I really feel for this family and offer prayers and blessings that they can carry on and glorify their remaining family in her honor.