by W. L. Hughen
When Mary was told by the angel that she would give birth to a son, even tho she had not been with a man sexually,her first reaction was the same as it usually is in all our lives. "How can this be?" she inquired. I have read this story countless times ,as you probably have. In recent days I have recalled many of the events of my life of the last few years, and remembered with pain how many times I have called out to God...."How can this be?"
Since the beginning of mankind this haunting question has arisen constantly in the thoughts of every mind. When I look at the majestic creation of the cosmos; when I view the marvels of the human body and life everywhere, the question always comes rushing to my mind, "How can this be?" When I review the discoveries and inventions of our age, I cannot escape the question, "How can this be?" This is a question that sits on the edge of all of our minds as the experiences of our lives unfold before us.
A few years ago, my beloved wife of 28 years, was stricken with a rare incurable disease. It was painful to watch this young, beautiful lady of only 54 years, suffer for nearly two years. Daily I cried out to God...."How can this be?" One evening, while she was undergoing a treatment of dialysis, the phone rang. The kind, female voice at the other end said, " I am sorry to inform you that your wife has just passed away." My throat closed, and an ocean surged in my stomach, and I screamed out,"Oh, dear God, Why? How can this be?"
Over the course of the years, through much hard work and dedication to our goals, the Lord allowed us to acquire a comfortable degree of wealth and earthly possessions. I was physically comfortable and had no real financial worries, except those that go along with owning several businesses and real estate investments. Slowly strange things begin to happen to my body. In a short time I learned that I, also, had fallen victim to another rare incurable disease. I was in the hospital often and consulted many doctors. None was able to offer much relief from the pains I endured daily. Once again I looked to heaven and pleaded to God..."Why?' How can this be?"
As time crept along my businesses and investments began to crumble, and I could clearly see that I was going to loose virtually everything I had, including my home and income. As I anticipated the loss of all I had worked so hard for for so many years, once more my heart squeezed out the unanswerable question..."Why? How can this be?"
One night as I lay in my sick bed the telephone rang. I picked up the receiver and placed it to my ear and heard these excruciating words.."I am sorry to tell you ,your daughter, Susan, has just passed away" . She was only 44 years old with a fine husband and two lovely children. Once again the maddening question pierced my bleeding heart..."Why", Oh, dear God! How can this be?"
About two two years after my wife died I had married a young lady which I brought from Russia, One night, as I lay in the hospital, she came to me and took my hand and said,"I have to give you some bad news. Your daughter, Nancy, has died suddenly of a lung embolism." She was only 41 years old, a nurse and a dedicated Christian with a beautiful singing voice as her sister, Susan, also had. I was stunned. I squeezed her hand and gazed numbly at the ceiling. My mouth was sealed, but slowly the reality erupted upon me and once again my tormented soul screamed out to my God. "Oh, No!!Why? Dear God, How can this be?" I was so sick I was unable to attend her funeral, which took place in Memphis, Tn.
But the final blows had yet to descend upon me. Three months after the death of Nancy, I received news that my step-daughter, Debra, had died suddenly of hepatitis. Could I ask God again, "Why? How can this be?" There wasn't much left of the pieces of my heart that remained to be broken. But it was ,when my lovely Russian lady and her young adult son decided to move out on their own. Most all of my income and assets were gone and I , an old sick man, had no more to give to her. There I was ...sick, alone, destitute, broke, and broken. I lay there an anticipated the certainty of welfare, and being confined to the indignities, disruptions and cruel treatment of a nursery home. I was already on home hospice, and I could see no other alternative. I had little strength left to cry out to God, Why? How can this be?" But as the tears drenched my face, it didn't matter any more. But in it all I can see now that God was always there.
My gracious sister, Frances, and her devoted husband came to my rescue. They drove to Pensacola and brought me to live with them for a while in Northport, Al. As we drove away one day and left the 5,000sq ft luxury home I had built and lived in for nearly 30 years ,I sharply realized... All was gone. I had nothing left but God. And I was to learn that God was all I needed.
Have I found an answer to all the times I have painfully asked, "Why? How can this be? "No, I haven't!!!! The question still lingers in my heart, and frequently the tears will come unbeckoned. I have searched the pits of my soul and the hidden crevices of my heart..."Why, Oh, my dear God, Why? How can this be?" I have found no satisfactory answer. I have heard no voices from heaven. Neither have I witnessed any sudden miracle. But I have found peace in the belief that one day I shall know the answer to this question that has invaded my life so many times. I find a sense of comfort that one day I shall see all my love-ones again.. One day,I will have a new body and my life shall be filled with all the riches of Heaven.
All the way, my Saviour leads me
What have I to ask besides?
Can I doubt His tender mercies,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here in Him by faith to dwell
For I know whate'er befall me
Jesus doeth all things well.
Post Script:
Most of the events described above took place within a time of about 6 years. For the past one year I have been able to recover substantially. I have spent many hard weeks in the hospital, and then lonely months in one little bedroom in an Assisted Living Residence. Through the providence of God I now live alone in a nice two bedroom house that is located immediately across the street from my sister and her husband. Only my mother has done more for me than they have.
I am happy and content. I am at peace with my God and myself. I enjoy my life immensely. I am now able to do most things a man of my age can be expected to do. I will soon be 81 years old. I stay very busy, and find that most of the time there are not enough hours to do all the things I want to do, I read a great deal. I do a lot of research on my computer that provides much information for the books I am writing. I just completed one and it has been sent to a prospective publisher. I am now working on two others. I have just received the first copy of my new book called, “Fireflies”. It is a beautiful book containing over 400 “sayings” that will bring the reader light, laughter and inspiration. I miss many of my friends and loved ones, but I never get bored or defeated. It brings me much joy to realize that "No matter how old you are, there is more living ahead of you than in the past".
......this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching toward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil.3
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