Some things just DON'T make sense!

Tomorrow Jeremy and Alyssa and I will catch a flight to Charlotte, NC to be with the family of a very close friend who passed from this life into the arms of Jesus last Saturday at 9:11 pm ET. Tara Rinehart (second from left in the photo above or my current Facebook profile picture) was only 35; the mother of two adorable kiddos that she was completely devoted to; the supportive, loving wife to John; friend to thousands.

Jeremy and I first met the Rineharts when we joined a married couples' Sunday School class at Central Church of God in Charlotte about 7 years ago. We were struck right away by the natural, real, and openly vulnerable style of this big guy and small woman who'd soon become two of the closest friends we've had in our married life together. They obviously loved Jesus but there was no stuffy, churchy language in this class. There was no spiritual pretense. This class was like nothing we'd experienced before. It was a Married Couples class that was actually a Biblically based challenge to work on our marriages week after week. It forced us to take a real, honest look at our relationship that was sometimes funny and sometimes painful...but always necessary.

In John and Tara we found friends we could completely be ourselves with. Friends who'd experienced a little more life than most people and lived through it, so they weren't surprised by much. Friends who made Jesus their number one priority without ever coming across as pious, judgmental, or condescending. We were so excited to be able to continue our friendship when Jeremy and I moved to Peoria in 2004.

Then we got the email in 2006...Tara had found a lump under her arm. Surely it was nothing. Then...it wasn't nothing. It was cancer. For the next three years through the struggles and the victories a story of faith unfolded that I'd never personally encountered. Tara and John showed strength in ways I can't even begin to explain. And, yet, they were still there for others...heading up missions trips, reaching out, helping out, loving. All of this on top of raising a family. And then, things took a turn for the worse. Surely God would heal her right? Her whole life was service to Him. She breathed obedience to the One who had created her and saved her. She would be healed and He would get the credit...right?

Well, her healing wasn't the kind we were all praying for. She and John will never celebrate a 20th, 25th, or 50th wedding anniversary. Tara won't get to raise her beautiful 8 year old daughter and super smart 7 year old son. She'll never tease me again about an insecurity I'm struggling with in that gently sarcastic but loving way that helps me look at things more objectively. She'll never serve us Cheese Pie or any of her yummy recipes again or take us on in Boggle, Scene It, or that game where you see which couple knows each other best. She'll never co-lead another short term missions trip or finish the photo project she was working feverishly on just two short weeks ago.

BUT...she is with the one she did all those things for! She is WITH JESUS! That's where the hope is, isn't it? And in the fact that in the big picture...HIS big picture...there's a reason for this. No one knows what will happen on Friday when the so many who loved Tara will gather to remember and honor this unique woman. No one knows how God will use this seemingly senseless death to bring life to others.

Does that make it easier for her husband and kids right now? No. Does it fill the hole in our lives that she filled? Of course not. But, there IS hope! There IS JESUS! Thank you, God, for Tara Rinehart. Thank you for the time we had with her on earth and the time we'll spend with her, and YOU, in eternity! And, please help me not to be mad at You! Help me in my time of doubt and hurting. And thank You for being able to handle my questions, fears, and anger!