Life On Beech Grove Road

I am at a loss for words as I write this post.

Heavy hearted, sadness, and many tears are a few words to describe the state of our small community here in Marrowbone.

Friday morning we heard the news of a terrible accident involving a semi and a 15 passenger van carrying 12 people (10 of whom were a family)

With later news we found out those people were from our small community here in Marrowbone a Mennonite family on there way to a wedding in Iowa, the van carried a family of 10 the Esh family, one young man Joel (who was engaged to Rachel Esh) and a family friend Ashlie. All perished in the accident except two of the younger children that were recently adopted from Guatemala.

I would be lying if I said I haven't question God...

The Esh family holds a special place in my heart as I remember 4 yrs. ago when we lost my Brother-in-law in a very tragic accident...they came to my parents house to offer they're condolences, offer their friendship and prayers for our family just the day before the Esh family lost they're Son John Esh Jr. in a snowmobile accident while on a missions trip in Ukraine...they were grieving the loss of their own Son and took time to extend their prayers and friendship to our family..I have never forgotten that.
Joel lived just down the road from us I cut he and his Brothers hair, a few years ago when the building beside our house burnt down they along with their Father were the first to arrive and offer their help..He was a very hard working young man, who loved God with all his heart, I will miss him greatly.

Yesterday as I drove through my small community to go to the gas station the feeling of sadness was very apparent for everyone, the quietness of the people here spoke so loudly as truck loads of chairs were being assembled in the building the Mennonites own preparing for the funeral services...the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach became more intense as I watched the Media buzzing about and reporters walk with pens in hand to collect a story for the news....

The thing is I'm not sure they will ever have the full story of how this has changed so many...
I began to pray on the way home for God to help me understand, how something so tragic could happen...my heart breaks for the family's..not just a wave of sadness a very present, I can not sleep grief...But God sees the bigger picture.

The Esh family had a well established business here in Marrowbone they constructed storage buildings.
Joel's Family also had a well established business they poured concrete.

Strong structures and solid foundations thats what they did.

But as I prayed yesterday I realized how God has used them to build more than buildings, they built friendships, in the midst of their hurts they extended Gods love and comfort to my family and so many others...
Joel's father taught him so much more than poring a good concrete foundation he taught him about the one true foundation on which we all should have and his life spoke volumes of that foundation he stood on as he shared his love of God with so many...he lived it everyday.

As I watch my small hometown I am reminded of the bigger plan..

Weather it be placing a chair, preparing a meal, giving money , our just holding the hand of the hurting family, I see Gods love...

The Esh family, Joel and Alisha knew Gods love and there is no doubt in my mind that they are with him today.
Please continue to pray for the family's. Blessings.

M