Priceless Treasures From Terrible Tragedy
If you have read my blog post “Blessings From Tragedy,” you know what kind of Christmas our family experienced. As I stayed with my mother and tried to help her, I was surprised by the priceless treasures I received when I came intending to give. Helping others through sorrow and trials brings both immediate and lasting rewards. How could we expect anything less from a God who gave His own Son to suffer for us?
“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32 ESV
The Payback
Limited to Zoom and phone calls, I watched my dad decline toward the end of his life while also keeping a close eye on my mother. I wanted to ensure that she was okay and be available whenever she needed me, but I did not want to intrude. What an honor it was to have the opportunity to care for her. She cared for me countless times throughout my life, and I could never repay everything she gave me. Being able to give something back was itself a gift and a treasure. She was terribly sick but remained deeply grateful, which blessed me even more—and the blessings did not stop there.
“Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].” Galatians 6:2 AMP
What I Gleaned
Through this experience, I gained a beautiful understanding of what it means to live God’s Word and find strength within difficulty by placing another person’s needs before my own. Serving others can feel thankless and even devoid of purpose, but God sees every act of love. My mother cared for my dad and loved him well throughout their life together. As he experienced cognitive decline, she remained steady in her devotion, respect, and love. He thrived under her care and even kept the sense of humor that blessed our family. I overheard the heartfelt yearning in her prayers that the love of her life would not suffer, and my sweet mother continued praying for him from her hospital bed while battling for her own life against COVID-19.
“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5 ESV
The Promotion
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, we could be with my father only through Zoom when he died. The moment my mother realized that he had passed from this life into heaven, she released a tremendous gasp that seemed to come from the depths of her soul. Then, in a trembling but confident voice, she made this declaration:
“Thank God he’s done suffering. This is his promotion.”
Some may find it strange that my sweet mother initially responded with relief, but I saw the hidden beauty of Romans 12:15 within her reaction. She loved him so deeply that, even in the first moment of her own devastating loss, she rejoiced that his suffering had ended. Her grief would come, as it needed to, but her first response was gratitude that the man she loved was finally at peace.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].” Romans 12:15 AMP
The Pure Heart Wins
When my dad passed, the atmosphere changed. He had been fighting, but suddenly there was peace, and we all felt it through that Zoom call. My mother’s first words reflected the prayers she had prayed and the love she had practiced throughout their marriage. She wanted what was best for him, even when what was best for him meant a painful loss for her.
Her relief did not make her grief any less real, nor would another person’s immediate tears indicate less love or faith. Grief expresses itself differently in every person. What moved me was that my mother’s instinctive response revealed the selfless concern she had carried for him. Her heart had been trained through years of prayer, sacrifice, and daily devotion to seek his good.
The Takeaway
When we follow God’s Word and His way of living, we are blessed—even when obedience is excruciating. Walking beside others through their trials gives us compassion, strength, and perspective that can help us face our own. Their experiences do not make future tragedies painless or unsurprising, but they teach us how to remain present, serve faithfully, and recognize God’s grace within suffering.
My mother thanks me often, but I am the one who received incalculable strength, perspective, and wisdom while walking beside her through the valley of the shadow of death. I witnessed her grace, love, and devotion. I learned that carrying another person’s burden does not only lighten the load for them; it changes and strengthens us too. The opportunity to serve may feel like a sacrifice, but hidden within it are priceless treasures that only love can reveal.
“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.” Matthew 20:26 NASB
