Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

[utexas]

About 3 am I recieved a phone call that one of my church members and life long friend was killed in an accident. With me being the Youth and Young Adult Pastor I had the arduous task of comforting the family and telling his 2 sons that their father was gone, all while I am in shock and grieving myself. I stay with the family until 11am and slowly make my way to my other job of managing a Gym/community center in a government housing project here in Dallas. I am running on fumes, don't get off until 8 pm, can't find any tears because the family needs me to help make some important decisions, and I am short staffed by 3 people so I am working nearly open to close until i finish the hiring process. He was injured so badly the coroner asked us to not come and ID the body because they didn't want to subject the family to having to see it in that condition.
This is the harsh reality of the life as a pastor, the part I least enjoy about my job. I am asking for your thoughts and prayers for the family that is left, his wife and 2 great sons, his mother, brother, and all of us they grew up together. God is in control, I have to remember that and trust Him. Thanks for letting me vent....

[Brandwin]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

Dang, I am sorry to hear that. You all will be in my thoughts.

[skitch]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

I'll definitely shoot a few up for ya, buddy. I'm sorry about that.

[Nivek]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

Wow, very sorry to hear that. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

[SPTO]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

That's pretty rough there. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and also to you as you all need the strength to go through this tragic time.

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

Dang that sucks. How old were his kids?

[utexas]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

Dang that sucks. How old were his kids?

14 and 10, both are great kids. I don't know what posting on here will do, but it justs feels good to vent even if it is to total strangers...

[utexas]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

Thanks for the well wishes and prayers, I really appreciate it.

[Dallasin2K3]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

I'm praying for you and yours. It's hard to find an explanation for things like this... usually, you've just got to have faith and stop trying to figure everything out. Best wishes.

[jayo]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

Sorry to hear man. I hope the kids are going to be okay. Was he (your friend) still married? I didn't see any mention of his wife/kids mother. I know things are probably just as hard for her as it is for the kids.

[utexas]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

Sorry to hear man. I hope the kids are going to be okay. Was he (your friend) still married? I didn't see any mention of his wife/kids mother. I know things are probably just as hard for her as it is for the kids.

Yes they were still married and she is a close personal friend. They were childhood sweethearts and we all grew up together. Thank all of you for your prayers for me and more importantly his family. I really just needed an outlet while I am at work, so many things run through your mind. As a pastor I have done this so many times, but he was a childhood/lifelong friend that was supposed to still be here. Anyway, just thank all of you...

[McLite]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

God works in mysterious ways...sorry for your loss. At work I'm often first on the scene for accidents, murders, suicides, and other incidents that deal with a loss of human life. Staying detached while family, friends, and loved ones around me are often hysterical is a very hard but necessary thing to do.

I give you a lot of respect for having to deal with the family and be right in the middle of the emotional roller coaster, especially in a situation where he was a good friend as well. The grieving process is a much needed, all though painful, time. As a Pastor I'm sure you know many Biblical passages...but one of my favorite which I often say to myself is the benediction at the end of services...Numbers 6: 24-26. I guess I grew up listening to that at the end of every service...and it often just gives me a sense of calm when life isn't going how I want it to sometimes.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."

[utexas]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

God works in mysterious ways...sorry for your loss. At work I'm often first on the scene for accidents, murders, suicides, and other incidents that deal with a loss of human life. Staying detached while family, friends, and loved ones around me are often hysterical is a very hard but necessary thing to do.

I give you a lot of respect for having to deal with the family and be right in the middle of the emotional roller coaster, especially in a situation where he was a good friend as well. The grieving process is a much needed, all though painful, time. As a Pastor I'm sure you know many Biblical passages...but one of my favorite which I often say to myself is the benediction at the end of services...Numbers 6: 24-26. I guess I grew up listening to that at the end of every service...and it often just gives me a sense of calm when life isn't going how I want it to sometimes.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."

great scripture, thanks for the reminder. Still feel numb, but I really appreciate the reminder.

[WTF]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

Praying for you and the family... Sorry for your loss... no words that will ease this tragedy, but you can take solice in knowing that he is in God's hands.

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: Trying to get through one of the worst days I've ever had...

Onto more important things...was your friend a Cowboys fan as well?

jp.

I really don't know what to say because I haven't experienced anything like this before, so here's a couple more scriptures:

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
-Matthew 5:4

he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.
-Isaiah 25:8