Going on a journey of the heart
God asks us to take journeys at various times. They may be actual physical trips and they may just be journeys of the heart. And sometimes they are both.When their daughter Sarah died 11 months ago (read the blog about it here), Dwight and Peggy Buller began a journey of the heart that has landed them at the site of their daughter’s car accident in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. To go back there is hard – it’s a trip into the unknown; one that has the potential to be poignant, heart-wrenching, and ultimately redemptive.
They are meeting people who knew and loved Sarah. They’re seeing the land that she embraced. And they’re going to a place in their own hearts of great and holy grief.
Of course it took courage. A journey of the heart always does. It took courage not to hide in their grief or let it congeal into bitterness. It took courage to ask God how he still wanted to use Sarah even though he had already asked them to pay the greatest price parents can pay. And it took courage to, along with Rachel, their daughter, get on that plane and travel to the place where she was taken from their lives.
Ultimately all of us are on a journey through life and at some point have to trust God as we travel to a place we never wanted to go. Jesus told Peter that before he left earth.* And of course, he himself showed us how to go on a journey that terrified him as he traveled to Golgotha – the place of his own horrific execution.
I pray that when my time and when your time comes, that we will have the courage that Dwight and Peggy are showing on a lonely and painful road in Port Elizabeth. I pray that our journey will be no less redemptive than theirs. I pray that God shows up in the midst of what may be anguish for you. And I pray that you pray, “though he slay me, yet will I trust him.”
You can do this thing. The Bullers are showing us that it is possible. If you’d like to pass on a message of encouragement, please do so below.
You can read more about the Buller’s travels on their Facebook page.
*John 21:19 “But when you are old, someone will lead you where you do not want to go.”
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The scripture from John is so true. When we truly lift our hearts up to the Abba Father and put away the pressures of our earthly life, then we are taken to places well outside of our comfort zones.
Just as He has taken me on a roller coaster ride for the past year, He knows how I hate roller coasters, the dots of His plan have become more and more understandable. There is peace as we get beyond the fear.
There is understanding of the need for change, acceptance of His forgiveness, the power of His love for us as unique son’s and daughter’s. He is our healer and He brightens our lives in Him at each port of call. Our hearts are healed and prepared to give back to others in double portions.
Fear not, for He truly has our backs as only a Dad can.
Blessings to the Buller’s and prays for this part of their journey.
To the Bullers,
Your trip to South Africa are filling up God’s joy in Sarah’s departure. May He grant healing, wealth, wisdom and above all, may worship accrue to His name because of your sacrifice. There’s much to learn from your family.
Hi Seth.
I love the fact we have been friends for 30 years. That means a great deal to me as “new” friends come knocking.
You are a galant and caring man. And Karen is a whole woman.
And God smiles.
I do–to.