Finding Joy In Tragedy

April 6 was an evening that changed the course of many people's lives forever. A bus carrying the Humboldt Bronco's hockey team traveling to Nipawin for Game 5 of their playoff series, crashed; killing 16 and leaving another 13 injured, some still critically and who remain hospital. The accident brought with it tears, pain, heartache, and grief. It brought emotion from all those who heard the news. And yet, it also brought with it stories of strength, triumph and hope. Our country, and the world, has come together in such an awe inspiring way.

As the news stories continued, we couldn't turn the channel. We remained glued to the news and the stories as any information became available. I was so impressed by the composure and how well Humboldt Broncos President, Kevin Garinger, was through the ordeal. Although greatly affected himself, he emphatically shared and answered questions of the media. He did this as President of the team but then also had to ensure that he was doing this while making decisions and speaking on behalf of the Horizon School Division in his role as Director of Education. One quote that struck me was when he talked about "keeping our skates on." He was describing how the billeted player that lived with him played a game where he persevered despite some bad hits and how it was a comment that originally came from the player as he kept playing that night, knowing he just needed to keep his skates on and finish the game. Garinger talked about how we are all hurting and grieving but that we need to fight through the pain and keep our skates on and keep skating.

Only 48 hours after the accident, a vigil was held at the Arena in Humboldt. As I watched it, the tears continued. I was so touched by the vigil and especially the powerful sermon given by Pastor Sean Brandow of the Humboldt Bible Church. What an amazing speaker and a godly man who showed his vulnerability to the world that evening. He spoke about not wanting to be in that arena and that he wished he was anywhere but there. He spoke about the importance of being there, of being there together, and coming together as a community to support and help each other through the darkest of days. Pastor Sean asked, "Why did this happen?" and responded that we don't know and that he doesn't have the answers to that. He also asked, "Where was God?" And then stated clearly, "God is on the throne and God is with the brokenhearted." He broke this down further to explain that Jesus lived and walked the earth and then died, was buried and rose again where He now sits on the throne and that He is in control. It is difficult times like this that we question if He is in control but He is on the throne and He is still God. Pastor Sean reminded us of Psalm 23 and that God draws near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. And we know this to be true because of Jesus death and resurrection on the cross. It is Jesus that we cry out to and it is Jesus who rescues. His spoke of his friend and coach, Darcy. And he ended by reminding us that our hope can only be found in the person of Jesus and that knowing full well what he has done, to receive Him by faith.

Oh how we need hope. Oh how we need to find strength. Oh how we need Jesus. Christ is our rock. He is our redeemer and our refuge in times of trouble. It is Him that we need to find hope and joy amidst the tragedies we face in life. There are stories of hope and joy that are rising above this tragedy.

Stories celebrating the life of Darcy Haugan. I saw an interview with his wife Christina who spoke about his deep faith and how committed he was to growing his own children in that faith, as well as the young men on the hockey team he coached to be men of character. She shared about devotions Darcy had with his sons, affirming them not in who they were based on whether they liked hockey or not, but that the most important thing he wanted in their life was for them to know God and have a personal relationship in Jesus. In the interview, Christina was very real about the pain, about having to tell her children that their father is gone, and how her nine-year old son said he feels like half his heart is gone. She understands as she feels the same way. Their family is broken and yet they are finding strength in Jesus and taking things one day at a time. It won't be easy but they have Jesus.

Jacob Leicht's parents who prepare for their oldest son's funeral and yet hold tightly to their three other children, helping them through their grief while they navigate their own grief. Relying on their faith and talking about how this tragedy will direct them to a higher purpose.

And the death of Logan Boulet who is being called a hero. He was excited for the day he turned 21 and could sign his licence, stating that he wanted to be an organ donor. It was that decision that in his death, saved the lives of six others. He received a standing ovation at his funeral and his decision to become an organ donor will be remembered, especially by the families of those who received his donation. It also started a surge of Canadians taking action to sign up for consent to become organ donors.

And the story of survivor Ryan Straschnitzki from Airdrie who is paralyzed from the chest down. He overcame a gruelling surgery and is coming to terms with the magnitude of the accident that took the lives of so many of his friends. Ryan is taking things one day at a time but in the short term just wants to visit his teammates in the hospital. Ryan has more challenges ahead of him as he begins the rehab but is already dreaming of playing sledge hockey for the Paralympic team.

It is determination and hope despite life's difficult circumstances that define what it means to be a Canadian. The coming together of community in times like this as hockey sticks are set out on front doorsteps, jerseys worn to show solidarity and support, and the largest GoFundMe in Canadian history as people come together to support the families in these small gestures.

#HumboldtStrong #PrayersforHumboldt #JerseysforHumboldt

In the tragedy, in the stories, in the grief, we can find hope and joy. And we are reminded of what matters of our life on this earth - a relationship with Jesus that leads us to eternal life. We are also reminded of life's blessings, including the people in our life. And I hug my children a little tighter, hold them a little longer, and remind them of who they are and where their identity lies.

Amazing Grace

Christ came into a broken and dark world but He came to restore grace for all of us and we can only find joy because of the amazing grace through the person of Jesus Christ. Be God's grace in the world as you love others.

Even If 

I love this song as it is such a declaration that God is still God and worthy of praise, even if we find Him to be silent. That we need to cling to God no matter what our circumstances, knowing that God is in control and that His purposes are good and His plan is good. This song is to reach people where they are. We have all had difficult and dark days where we question. Even if God doesn't come through as we want, we need to be able to trust in Him and sing, "It is well with my soul." He is our hope because of what He has already done on the cross for us, not because of how he changes our circumstances.