This article isn't going to be the most upbeat, it's a hard subject to write about, but I think its something that needs to be talked about. Recently, there has been a horrible tragedy happen to a family very close to mine. When bad things happen to good people it can really make you question God, even the truest Christians can question, especially in hard times. Why God? Why do you allow bad things to happen? How can this be for the greater good?

If God is in control, why do bad things happen?

So here's the thing, when Jesus died on the cross for us, he didn't do it so that the world could be a place free of evil, having free will means that evil can and will occur. But, the beautiful thing about our God, is that he provides us with victory over that evil and reassurance that one day, all of this pain will cease and we'll all be lifted up into His heavenly gates and forever be surrounded by everlasting peace. The hard thing about this life on earth is that, sometimes are loved ones are taken from us sooner than we would like, and even though we know they're in a far better place than we could ever imagine, not having them here with us anymore is almost painfully unbearable. My mamaw played me a song when I was a little girl that is still one of my favorite Christian songs to this day; it's called "I Can Only Imagine".

"I can only imagine, what my eyes will see, when Your face is before me." Such a powerful song, the first moment when we really get to fully embrace Gods love in real life. As hard as it is to say goodbye, we have to have faith in knowing that our loved ones are currently embracing Gods love for the first time, while we're still down on earth only able to imagine. I hope that can bring you peace. I hope that knowing they're in the hands of the greatest being imaginable can make you smile. "Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall, will I sing "Hallelujah!", will I be able to speak at all? I can only Imagine."

Can you imagine? I picture it in my head, but I know I'll never be able to fully grasp what some of our past loved ones are seeing first hand. Understanding Gods plan when horrific events occur is hard, its so hard, but God can't stop bad things from happening in life, it was never His plan. His promise though, is that He is with me, He is with you, He is with every single one of us until the end of time. We're not always going to be able to understand his process, but I hope you all can stand with me on believing His will.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isa. 55:9"

All my love,

Taylor Thompson