Tragedy struck our community last Tuesday, when a father accidentally ran over his 3 yr. old son while pulling into the family driveway.  The boy died immediately, after leaving his 5 yr. old sibling and playfully diving under the truck as it moved foward.

As news of this horrible tragedy spread, numerous people began calling me, asking if I was willing to meet with this family in hopes of helping them somehow -- since I had gone through the horror of something very similar nearly 15 years ago.  I volunteered, of course, and the following day I was introduced to the family.

Over the past week, I've had the honor of spending a good deal of time with this couple, and especially the father.  It's been a blessing being able to help them, filling them in on what they can expect over the weeks and months and years to come.  But this is a painful blessing -- a paradoxical situation I would have never chosen to be qualified for.

Have you ever been in a situation like that?  Have you ever been able to help someone at a terrific and painful price to you personally?  Life can be funny that way sometimes.  I think it's one of the ways God follows through and "works good" out of the painful tragedies we experience in life (cf. Rom.8:28).

I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on this, AND... would especially covet your prayers for this family.