Jeff and Vickie Rollins at Matt's BLET graduation
This past week has been one of the most challenging and difficult weeks of my life. But God has proven not only His faithfulness, but that His word truly does not return void.
Sunday we traveled with our friends Kim and Casey to speak at a church in Sanford, NC. After we spoke we went to Kim's parents for lunch. As we finished up a delicious meal I received a paralyzing phone call from my mom. My precious Aunt and Uncle were in a terrible car accident in which my Uncle had already died and My Aunt was in critical condition. It has been a long time since I lost someone so close. The way that the accident happened is tough to swallow, but as my Dad has put it "It is what it is" and it came as no surprise to God. We can choose to be bitter and angry or we can choose to believe that we still serve the same God who continues to be merciful and sovereign. We can choose to cling to and remember that my Uncle Jeff led a wonderful and rewarding life and now he is with our Heavenly Father. The same Father that hovers over my Aunt right now at Baptist Medical Center. The same Father that is grieving with my family as we recall this scripture:
"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23
We will choose to trust God's plan and believe that, through this tragedy, HE will receive the glory. We have already seen evidence of God's compassion that never fails and His sovereignty over the whole situation. This is evident in through friends of Matt's being at the scene of the accident to friends of mine being part of the critical care transport team and Vickie's primary nurse at Baptist.
Jeff and Vickie both were so passionate about what God is doing through this ministry. They were, no doubt, our biggest fans. They coordinated meetings with Kenyan friends, volunteered during the silent auction/benefit dinner, prayed for us continually, and were actively following the stories of God working in Kenya. We spent several meals together telling "our stories" to them for long periods of time. The whole time, they viewed us as their own children. Such honor bestowed upon such unworthy people as us.
Vickie is one of the toughest people I have ever met in my life. She truly trancends and exemplifies that wife of noble character in Proverbs 31. I have no doubt that she will pull through this only having grown in her faith that much more.
We ask that as you read this, you might pause and offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for their lives and for her complete restoration. To God be the glory ... even in tragedy!
