Weep with Those Who Weep

I had opportunity to visit the MARBC meeting in Faribault, Minnesota this past Monday and Tuesday. I went in part to represent the seminary with Ron Gotzman, but I also wanted to hear the main speaker, my brother Doug Brown from Faith in Ankeny. I appreciated renewing fellowship with some longtime friends, having lunch with Paul Lobb, and meeting some new people.

I left the meeting, however, working through the emotions of listening to Jim and Susie Goodew talk about the loss of their 21 year old son Titus in February of this year. Everyone present was touched by the pain of their loss as the Goodews opened their hearts in a transparency seldom seen. Titus’s life and suicide have touched many lives. Jim and Susie expressed with unusual clarity the depth of their personal sense of loss, and also the ways in which their own healing process has helped numbers of people. The support of their church, encouragement from other brothers and sisters in Christ (over 600 cards), and the prayers of many helped them through a healing process that is still ongoing.

I am reminded to continue to pray for the Goodews and “to weep with those who weep.” Their recovery continues and so should our prayers.

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