When Death Arrives, God Is There

This book includes a testimony of the power of God to heal a broken heart after it experiences the death of a son, a young son. The sadness and pain one feels when losing a child or a very dear one is not easy, or even possible, to explain in words. The pain is such that there is nothing and no one who can console you or heal your broken heart. However, in my case, it was the love, the grace and the mercy of God which brought me comfort and consolation. This was manifested through many people whom God used to help me: They prayed for me and with me, they showered me with monetary and other gifts and cards. They also sent me very comforting messages (written ones and in person), as well as telephone calls, when I needed those messages the most.

On my part, I read and re-read Scriptures and practiced much prayer every day after my loss, pleading with God to heal my heart and to help me sustain such great loss. I believe those practices contributed very much to the healing of my heart. Following is a small section of the book, which I feel you will find interesting:

“Yelling at the person on the other end of the line, I asked, “Is my son dead or alive?” My pastor said, “You must be very strong, sister Estella, for the news you are about to hear. He told me some details about the accident and its location. As I listened to him, my heart leaped and leaped like the highest and fastest roller coaster that ever existed, but then it became like lead. I begged, “Please tell me the truth.” He could not and just said, “Call your father; he has all the information.”

I called my father. He was extremely disturbed and could only say, weeping profusely, “You must get over here immediately.” I said, “I will leave right now.” As I hung up the telephone, my heart and my mind were beginning to melt with confusion, profound sadness, and terrible fear. My husband, my daughter, and I left for the airport.

On our way to the airport, approximately about an hour after the dramatic telephone calls informing me of the accident, the Lord Jesus put in my heart the following Scripture:

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

I knew right then that my son was dead. It is very difficult to explain exactly what I felt at that moment because I had mixed emotions. On the one hand, I was in a profound state of shock and disbelief; on the other, I was experiencing serenity and a supernatural comfort and strength. “You are with me” kept resounding in my mind and in my heart over and over again. I believe this is how the Lord God assured me that he was with me all the way through the end of this trial. And he was! I could feel Him in my heart, and where God is, there is peace, strength, comfort, and serenity, even in the midst of death!”

As time passed, I started to see and understand that no one can change the past, not even God. But I also understood that only God could heal my broken heart, if I asked Him to do so. And, God did it! He healed my heart!

The book also talks about other family conflicts and situations one faces as parents. It talks about divorce and the pain inflicted upon the children when couples choose to divorce. Raising children is a very difficult task; that task is made much worse when children are left motherless or fatherless. I now understand how extremely important is for children to have stability in their home, with both parents in the same household, if possible.

This book also includes suggestions as to how one could help (if one wishes to do) family members or friends when they go through the valley of the shadow of death. God could use you at a time when the family or friends of the deceased need that help the most. You will be so blessed when you help those in need. We never know when we will experience loss and then we will be rewarded when others help us.

I have prayed, and will continue to pray, for all who read this book, asking God to heal broken hearts and give them peace, when one finally accepts God’s will, because His will be done, as difficult as it may be to accept it.