Praying for a Family and a Brother in Pain
Scott on July 11, 2009 at 9:40 am
Dear Regular Readers and Occasional Visitors to Verum Serum,
Hang around VS long enough and you’ll know that from time to time we disagree (sometimes quite strongly) with various “watchblogs” and “watchbloggers” around the blogosphere. Ken Silva is one of those people with whom we frequently disagree.
However, today I would ask that we unite behind Ken and his family as they are enduring a tremendous tragedy. Ken’s brother took his own life, leaving behind two teenage sons.
As I shared with Ken earlier this morning…
While we may be in disagreement at times about various topics and issues, this kind of tragedy and pain puts a lot of that in a different light and perspective.
Please take a moment to lift up Ken and his family and especially the two sons who must be asking a lot of deep, heart-wrenching questions right now. It is certainly at times like this where the grace and mercy of God is felt most deeply.
And if you would like, please feel free to leave some words of encouragement for Ken here in this post. I will make sure he sees them/gets them.
Grace and Peace,
Scott Ragan
Category: News |
I am really sorry for your loss, Ken. My wife and I will be praying for you and your whole family, and for your two nephews.
July 11, 2009 @ 11:35 amPlease tell Mr. Silva how sad I am to hear about this family tragedy. As the post said, it is times like this that put things in perspective. The things we argue about can seem so petty when seen as a part of the much bigger picture. Blessings to you, Mr. Silva, and love to your brother’s sons.
July 11, 2009 @ 11:40 amPraying for Ken and his family. How terribly sad!!
July 11, 2009 @ 11:51 amSorry to hear about your family’s tragedy Ken. I pray that you find comfort in Him and that your family is supported by good people who will help you get through.
July 11, 2009 @ 12:01 pmKen, I pray that your family, and especially your nephews, will be comforted and given peace, that you will be able to grieve fully and remember your brother fondly. I pray for your nephews’ futures, that they will be able to be all God made them to be.
God bless all of you.
July 11, 2009 @ 12:47 pmKen, I’m sincerely sorry for your loss. It’s a horrible thing in itself and the fact that children are involved just makes it that much worse to contemplate, much less to experience.
I’m sure it will be a long path of healing for you and everyone involved. I’ll pray that the Lord will help you and your nephews along it.
July 11, 2009 @ 12:57 pmKen, so I’m sorry for your loss.
In the weeks and months to come you and your family will experience waves of grief and bereavement. It is normal under these circumstances to feel anger and rage toward your brother and even toward one another.
Please do not make the mistake of believing that you “shouldn’t feel that way.” What your brother did was an act of violence to the whole family. It is important to allow those hurt feelings to be what they are. In effect, the sadness, anger and confusion have to come and go as a prerequisite for forgiveness.
Work toward forgiveness.
During this time of pain and confusion, be gentle with yourself and those around you. Remember, There is still love in the world, and the strength of the feelings that you have during these times are a measure of the strength of the love that you feel toward your brother and your family.
So don’t give yourself a hard time for having a hard time.
My thoughts are with you.
July 11, 2009 @ 1:22 pmRest assured, Ken, I will be praying for your entire family before our Eucharistic Lord and will also be offering up Sunday’s Mass for all of you tomorrow.
JESUS LOVES YOU!
July 11, 2009 @ 1:53 pmi know that prayer works.
pray for his soul and the will to endure the grief.
pray and you will come through it stronger and wiser.
July 11, 2009 @ 4:15 pmKen, I pray that God’s grace and mercy sustain you and your entire family (and your nephews) during this terrible time. My own mother did the same thing. I think Paul Susac had some good words here. God bless all of you.
July 11, 2009 @ 5:31 pmKen,
I don’t know how to make sense of pain, nor do I truly know the answers behind it. Whatever you’re feeling right now, feel it. Don’t try and fight your feelings, let them flow…God’s big enough to handle them. Somehow, someway, love and hope will find you. It may take much longer than you think(I’m still waiting for it), but I believe it will surface. I am truly, deeply saddened by this occurance in your life. You and I are not in agreement on much, but you are still my brother in Christ, and nothing could change the compassion I feel for you and your family at this moment. Stay strong, and may grace shine light again in your life.
July 11, 2009 @ 7:13 pm