Does Jesus Care?

Last Wednesday night I closed the lid on my MacBook Pro and "swore off" blogging for the remainder of the week .. without explanation. Since many of you are regulars at RevKev's little piece of the world wide web, I wanted to let you know what caused this "disruption of service."

While I was at my men's prayer group (thanks guys, I really needed you) on Wednesday morning, I received a phone call from my son. His voice was broken and he was difficult to understand. After several "whats?" and "whos?" I finally made out that Katie, someone very close to his heart, had been involved in an automobile accident.

While returning home from work (Nashville to Dickson), she was hit head-on by a drunk driver who was traveling the wrong direction on Interstate 40. She died at the scene.

Katie was dear to our family. We had been out to eat with her and Drew on many occasions when we visited Chattanooga. We went to the Aquarium (she loved turtles .. and manatees) together. She had been with us at family gatherings during the holidays and she attended the Lord's Supper Christmas Eve Service at First Baptist Church, Humboldt at least a couple of times.

Twenty three years old and now .. gone.

Gone .. but not forgotten.

Katie had a beautiful smile and a wonderful sense of humor (she even laughed at my jokes .. well, some of them).

She loved animals (she was a Humane Society supporter). She loved people (she had expressed an interest in joining the Peace Corp). She loved life.

We are still in shock and, even after attending the funeral, can't believe this has happened.

Friday night during a Strawberry Festival event at FBC, Mark Lowry sang an old hymn (written in 1901 by Frank E. Graeff) that almost seemed "out of place" for a concert. I believe it was God-inspired and directed to me.

Does Jesus Care?

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief,

Though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—

Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Refrain:

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

I don't know the answer to "why?" for the Kerr family, the Hamiltons (sorry, son .. dad wishes he could say something to make it all better), or the countless friends who loved this beautiful young woman.

I do know, however, that Jesus cares.

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

- 1 Peter 5:7