A Friend Who Left Forever

I was there in their first glimpse of each other. I was one of the first few people who knew when they started their relationship. I witnessed how they love each. I shared with their joys and prayed with them in their trials. They made me a part of their lives. I was there when they exchanged vows for each other, at that time,it seems it's forever. I was even overjoyed to hold and cuddle their little baby.

On the other hand, they were a brother (Kuya) and a sister (Ate) to me when I was at the university. I can just call them any time and they were there for me. She was a roommate and in many ways a mentor. He was an adviser and just came up with something to make me smile when I was sad. They made my birthdays special away from home. Most of all, they were one of the those who encouraged me to pursue my calling especially the time when my church didn't have a pastor and the church didn't have much understanding of my calling. I vividly remembered when they sent me off to the pier when I went for my missionary training.

We separated ways with fond memories and pursued each of our calling. We have lost touch for a while.

Just this week, a news broke my heart. He is gone by taking his own life leaving her behind with a child. I was so shocked and in grief. So many questions but few are answered. It seems that no one wanted to speak about it.

I wanted to be there to see his face for the last time and be there for her in this sorrowful moment. I'm not sure if God will permit.

It has been always hard for me to leave friends or when friends left for a while for various reasons but now it's even harder, a friend and a brother in the Lord left forever.

Things may be unclear this time, I am just living with the assurance that everything happened with a purpose and in His time things will be revealed clearly.

I just pray for comfort not only for me but also for her and the rest of the family and for friends who are also in grief with this shocking and sudden incident.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28