Why Me?

Monday Ministerial Musings

By Rev. Mark William Ennis

2021 Blog Number 7

February 15, 2021

Why Me?

Two horrible tragedies were featured in our local news this week. Both involved 11-year-old-children. It is always sad to see children sick or injured. I have seen enough such cases during the six years that I was a volunteer chaplain at a regional medical center. In a fallen world, illness happens. The two tragedies I am referring to are not, however, illness. They were both tragic accidents and sting me whenever I think of them.

The first little child was a boy who  was sledding at a local park and hit a tree. The newspaper reports that he is in critical condition at a local hospital. I can’t imagine the anxiety and pain that his family and friends are going through.

The second case took place in my hometown of Jersey City. A fire broke out in a home. The mother escaped with her 11-year-old daughter. When the daughter realized that her 8-month-old brother was still inside, she ran back it and  tried to rescue him. Both the 8-month-old as well as the 11-year died in the fire. The mother escaped the blaze. I can’t imagine the pain of losing children or the “survivors guilt” she must be feeling.

Sometimes we ask ourselves “why me?” when we are struck with a tragedy. My question is the opposite. Why did a little boy have a head injury and I escaped the same fate? When I was eleven, I did many dare-devil activities on a sled each and every winter and yet I suffered no injuries.

I have never had a house fire and I have not lost children from such a tragedy. I have escaped these things. Why me? Why did I escape such tragedies when others did not?

I don’t know the answers to these questions. But it is a reminder to most of us how good our lives are and how we have been protected in life, often from our own foolishness. “Why have I had it so good?” ought to be our daily question. “Why am I so blessed? Why me?”

Let each day of our lives be a day of gratitude for all that has not happened to us.

#ClintonAvenueReformedChurch                         #ReformedChurchInAmerica                    

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#BergenCountyNJ                                                   #ChildInjuries

#ChildDeath                                                              #HouseFires

To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book:https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/