Standing in the Rubble of Sadness

Dear Friends,

This is a brief and heartbreaking post for me to write. 

Our beautiful nephew, Jonathan Mawhinney, who was 25, died tragically a few days ago. He was a beautiful, bright and witty young man with his whole future before him yet for reasons none of us understand, he took his own life. He was my sister's and brother-in-law's only son and we are absolutely devastated as a family. This is the second time in just a few months that this kind of terrible tragedy had stalked my family's  life. There are no words to express the depth of our sense of loss and there is no way of making sense of this tragedy.

We feel like we are standing in the middle of a vast plain of rubble, pain and devastation. All we can hear around us is the agony of sorrow. We are asking God to care for and carry our family in some of the darkest hours of our lives and despite all that we might be seeing around us and feeling, we choose to live according to what we believe and not what we feel.

I will be taking Jonathan's funeral on Monday 17th November at 4pm and your prayers for my whole family would be appreciated.

Comments

[Mick Dewhirst]

May God hold you all

[deborah]

My heart goes out to you all Malcolm. Having lost my twin brother at the same age also in tragic circumstances, I know only too well the pain, heartbreak, shock and raw grief you are feeling. Not getting to say goodbye and losing someone so young is even more tragic. I pray that God will comfort you over these coming days and beyond. Bless you all.xx

[Gilly Strobeck]

Malcolm and Debbie.......if I knew something extraordinary to say I would say it. Alas I am at a complete loss for words but not for empathy and prayer. Gilly xxx

[Valerie]

Praying for God's comfort for the whole family, May He strengthen and hold you as you grieve xxx

[John Clancy]

So sorry for you and your family Malcolm. May God hold you all close.

[Heather Dyce]

Dear Malcolm and Debbie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...
May you all know His Grace and Love through this difficult time... With our love Mike and Heather.... Gracemead Church, Hatfield

[Jane McArthur]

'Sorry' seems is inadequate but it's all there is - sorrow and prayer. The peace of The Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

[Marion Knell]

Heartbreaking for you all. May you know his light I the darkness.

[Keith & Lynne]

We stand with you, hurt with you, trust with you ... (John 14v27)

[Brian Davison]

My heart weeps with you Malcolm.

At times like this, in this broken world, there is no sense.
Not yet.

Jesus weeps with you.

What he will build from all the rubble only he knows.
For now I imagine that is in a future hidden beyond a veil of tears and agony.

Your work now is to weep. Leave everything else to him.

His is to prepare to reveal what he will build from this broken mess.
He's promised to work all things together into good with those whom he loves. Only he knows what that will look like.

My prayers and my tears are with you

[PHYLLIS MANNERS]

May God's loving presence hold and sustain you at this very sad time ~ praying for you Phyllis x

[Lynne King]

Malcolm and Debbie and all your family. I send you my love and my prayers. Only God understands the depth of your pain and sadness and He will walk each step and each moment with you.

[Edwin Michael]

Malcolm and Debbie I just saw this and want you to know that Margaret and I will be praying that your whole family may know God's peace and comfort in a supernatural way at this time.

[Linda Peacock]

Standing with you in prayer Malcolm, praying that God's peace will come to you in this terrible darkness. Will continue to pray for your sister and brother in law , I pray that you will feel God's love holding you up.

[Helen Shepherd]

Praying for you all. There are no words xx

[The Rock leadership team]

We are praying God's peace and comfort for you and your family and that He would guard and guide you,particularly on Monday.May you feel Him very close.

[John & Jan]

We send our love to Jonathan's Mum and Dad..

[Marilyn Glass]

Such sadness to read this May God give you strength for Monday and peace for the parents and the whole family as they walk through this deep valley

[Neil Hudson]

Praying for you Malcolm in the midst of the sorrow

[John Houghton]

No easy words, Malcolm, yet the Lord is with you in the shadowed vale. Fear no evil. Hide no tears. Comfort the heart-broken. Praying for you this day. I lay in dust life's glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red, life that shall endless be. John

[Fiona McGregor]

This is the RC prayer for the dead and the bereaved. I don't know if it is appropriate to you and your family, but please believe my intentions are good and heartfelt.

Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord hear my voice. Let Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand it? For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness, and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord. My soul has relied on His word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy; and with Him plentiful redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

[Paul Lavender]

Praying for you Malcolm.

[LT]

You are speaking at our church this weekend.. God enable you and strengthen you as you minister - may you know Him filling you.

[Malcolm Duncan]

Thank you everyone for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. We appreciate them so much