Oh Well

Yesterday I heard that a business associate is going through what I have come to call an “Oh Well” event – one of those experiences when life doesn’t make sense – in this case death, untimely and unexpected.  We all face it at some point.  I began to term these life experiences as “Oh Well” a couple of years ago when a friend lost her son just before his high school graduation in a freak fishing/swimming accident.  As I waited my turn to greet her prior to the funeral, I thought, what can I possibly say?  I simply said, “I am so sorry.”  As we hugged, she whispered in my ear, “Oh well.”  Those words stuck with me.  Afterwards, I gathered up all of the newspaper articles and obituaries I had collected over the years of these unexpected, untimely deaths of people who had crossed my path and put them in a folder labeled “Oh Well.”   When you think about it, we can assess, evaluate, and surmise the remainder of our lives and still not have the answer.  Instead, we need peace; and somehow for me “Oh Well” is a cry for peace.

From time to time, I pull out the folder and have a personal memorial day.  I remember each person, how they touched my life, and how fragile life is – that we really do need to live each day as though it were our last.  And then, I am reminded to ask the Prince of Peace to continue to impart His supernatural peace to the ones who remain.

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  I Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)