When The Answers Just Don’t Come. Why Tragedy Strikes Us In Such A Cruel Manner

June is always a hard month for me and my family.  The tragic accidental death of my son, Mickarl D. Thomas, Jr. on June 14, 1997 still leaves a void in my heart too painful for many to understand. His death was the result of a single occupant fatal car accident after drinking at a party, days after graduating from high school with his twin sister. That was 18 years ago, but the memories are still vivid in my mind.  

Tragedy is hard to comprehend…whether it’s accidental or intentional. It leaves a trail of tears in the wake of surviving victims, family members and friends often left behind.  

The latest tragedy occurred last night when worshippers at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church were simply exercising their right to attend Bible Study in the House of God. For nine of them, including the Pastor of the church, it would be their last day on earth, as they were murdered by a hateful young man bent on ending their lives for his own personal satisfaction.

What do you do when the answers don’t come from such tragedies?  How do you console family members and friends whose unbearable pain can be difficult to watch?  What do you say when the words are too cumbersome?  

Today’s show will offer some responses to life’s tragedies from my personal perspective, having lived all of these years in the wake of my son’s death.