For the Tough Times

I have a friend who lost his wife last year and his son last month. He feels suckerpunched, and of course, he was. He didn't see this loss coming. His wife's disease took her in a matter of months. His son was an alcoholic and his disease took him over a matter of years, but the end was surprising and unexpected. What do you say to someone who has experienced such loss? How can I be a friend?

Max Lucado's new book, For the Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope, is about the size of a CD and arrived in my mailbox last week. My friend was on my mind as I read it. I loved that Max didn't try to pretend that being a man or woman of faith meant you live a magical life where no bad hits you. That is a message that my friend could dispute in seconds. He has loved God his whole life, as did his wife. He prayed for his son. He went to Alanon. He set boundaries. He wept. He despaired. He loved.

And yet his son continued to drink.

What I appreciated about this book is that it acknowledges that tough times do hit. No matter who we are. And yet there is a God who can comfort you and carry you through when it feels like your feet won't take you another inch.

I don't have the words to say. I will show my love through warm and filling casseroles. That's how we do it in Oklahoma. I will pray. I will send cards. But I will also tuck this book in with those small acts and pray that it will speak in ways that I cannot.

When tragedy hits, we are sad, angry, and full of questions. I'm grateful that Max Lucado is searching for answers, and along the way providing a little bit of understanding and comfort.