In Desperation, we may cry out, "Why me, God?"

In Desperation, we may cry out, “Why me, God?”

Eileen Renders

Throughout the years of my life, I have watched many family members and friends leave this life and go to what lies beyond. These are sad times for us, and it often feels as though we have truly lost a piece of ourselves. I once had six siblings; I now have only myself and one sibling. In a large family, we recognize many similarities in inherited genetics and looks. Families often carry strong resemblances. Personality, on the other hand, is often very different, as it was in my family.

As time moved forward, one brother and I in particular always kept in touch with at least one phone call a week, and we seemed to have many of the same personality traits, and compassion for others, including a good sense of humor that often helped to keep things on the light side.

We often discussed who had passed away after a long suffering and how much they had been needed and valued. In lighter times, Johnny would say to me, “If anything tragic happened to me, I would look up to God and say, 'Why me?” “Why me?” It took a second or two before we both burst into laughter as we both knew the answer to that question was, “Why not me?”

Example: If we have lived an active life of work, raising children, practicing a healthy lifestyle, and in mid-life are diagnosed with cancer, we seek the best medical treatment available. Often, this treatment takes us another 7 to 10 years longer on earth than we may have expected.

Still, as we know, cancer very often returns with a vengeance, it has spread, and there is no cure. Some will cry and wail. They may count all the blessings they share on earth with a nice home, good children, and a loving spouse. They are not only dying, but are depressed, inconsolable, and they bargain with God for more time.

Others may spend those extra years God gave them in spending more time with God in prayer, at church, and receiving the sacraments. Teaching and sharing with others how loving and merciful God really is. When our reprieve is over, they may go to God gratefully knowing how He loved them. Trusting in an eternity that is peaceful, joyful, and glorious. We sometimes come into this world kicking and crying; however, when God calls us by name to come home, with trust and understanding, we can say, “Here I am Lord, take me home.”