Sometimes when we have no answers and we do not want to pray because we are angry, we turn to God and ask him simply “Why.” A word with only three letters that is used every time we experience the shock of a traumatic situation and in particular when someone we love dies suddenly. The definition of the word is perfect, because in such situations it is the “reason, cause, or purpose” that many of us to look to God and confront Him with just that one word. Whenever I talk to someone about the death of a loved one, inevitably they ask “why.”

I was standing with a grandmother recently in front of a crypt and after a few pleasantries, she simply asked, “Why did my teenage granddaughter have to die?” It is a question that may never be answered. I picked this one conversation, but it is one I have had thousands of times. We talked about faith and God, and I talked to her about the many miracles of presence that have been told to me. She was desperate for an answer to her question, why did God have to take her, and I did my best to let this grieving grandmother know that, in my years, I have come to the absolute belief that we do not end. I also suggested that we may never know “why” and when that moment arrives, we may not care.

Why does God let bad things happen to good people, and others don’t have a care in the world? We look around the world and we see so much evil and turmoil and wonder how there could be a God if He allows all of this to occur. I have discovered that this life is simply a part of a journey we must experience and an opportunity to live it in the way God instructed. God is all good and He does not give us bad things.

A person I know very well was diagnosed with a difficult cancer and instead of asking “Why me?” she asked, “Why not me?”. God does not send us into the world to experience horrible things, He sends us to experience life in a way that brings us closer to Him. We are asked to honor Him and to perfect our love for each other.

When you are looking to God for answers, do not ask Him why, but pray for the person that has gone home and for Him to help you find peace as your journey continues. God does not bring suffering, but He does help carry the burden until that moment of pure joy arrives for us all.

God Bless

Andrej N. Lah

Director of Cemeteries