God, Why My Daddy?

The question may have already been whispered, shouted, or sobbed by Alysia Grace or Cassidy Hope: "God, why my Daddy?" Last Sunday, the father of these two girls, Pastor Fred Winters, was taken from them by a stranger's bullet. While all the facts are still being disclosed, this minister was a husband, father, son, perhaps a brother, and certainly friend to countless others.

Not new to headlines, violence has slowly crept into churches in communities across the nation. Recently, a worship service in Michigan was disrupted by activists promoting homosexuality. Yet, that event pales in comparison to last Sunday's execution.


With the suspect labeled "mentally ill," the debates and discussions will soon begin on what we can do to recognize the trouble signs. These same discussions happen whenever there's a deadly shooting rampage involving a teenager at a school. Maybe if we try to figure it out, wrestle with the what-if's, the how-to's and the why's we can prevent this from happening, again!

We are flawed.

In our fragile humanness we forget that we are sinful creatures capable of wondrous good and unspeakable evil. We think throwing money, logic, and laws at problems will make everything better in the morning.

Yet, that didn't stop a wife from kissing her husband unknowingly a final time as he left early that morning for church. Laws and money didn't stop daughters from unexpectedly having a final loving embrace from their daddy as they were waking up last Sunday morning. After all, they would see him at church later that morning.

In an instant, our world can be shattered.

Understandably, no details have emerged regarding the girls and Cindy Lee, now a widow. They are in the midst of grieving and healing. This post is not intended to hurt, exploit, or make an example of this family. My hope is to lovingly remind you, the reader, of two things:

1) Never take a day for granted - We are not promised the next breath, minute, hour, or even tomorrow. Each of these moments are gifts from God. What we do with this time is our choice but when He is glorified, the time is much sweeter. Through such pain and ugliness, goodness and love will be shown. He will be glorified. For now, love your spouse, children, family, and friends.

Pray for and encourage your pastors. After all, they hear enough about enough pety things such as the carpet color, temperature, and if the music is too contemporary. Focus on the positive a bit more.

Most importantly, make sure your heart is right with God. Don't be caught dead not knowing Him. Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior can make a world of difference.

2) Right now you might be thinking, why does a good God continue to allow evil to happen? I would encourage you to read this. It's refreshing to realize that we won't and shouldn't have all the answers. God's in control. Everything has a reason and a season.

But it's okay to ask him why. He's felt your pain and understands it better than you understand yourself. The key is, will you turn it over to Him? Holding onto your pain, doubt, confusion, and hate will only bring death to your soul. Turning it over to Him, will bring you new life.

Your problems aren't too big for Him. He can take it. He did over 2000 years ago.