Thought of the Day 05.29.09

As most of you know by now, our state Treasurer, Dean Martin, this week lost his wife in childbirth and then also their first son three days later. In a press conference yesterday, Dean shared both his pain and also the comfort which the Holy Spirit has been giving him. In fact, it was this assurance which motivated him to encourage expectant moms not to be distressed by what happened to his beloved Kerry.

But how is it possible that a man could be peaceful, even grateful, in the midst of such a heart-wrenching loss? This paradox must be incredibly perplexing to anyone who hasn’t yet really embraced the Gospel.

Yet it’s precisely the assurance of his family’s eternal salvation and the presence of a tangible Savior in his life that makes it possible for Dean to both grieve fully and celebrate fully.

To everyone who doesn’t yet know Christ to this degree, his example will either seem the most monstrous thing they’ve ever seen or else the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen. If the latter, it is because they are already being drawn toward the same magnificence by God’s Spirit.