Tragedy is like a sucker punch to the face.
The blow comes out of nowhere, and you’re left reeling. Your view of life is blurry for days, weeks, maybe even months.
One of the worst parts of tragedy in the initial moments is the feeling of isolation that can settle in around you. The pain can be so deep, so intense, that you feel strangely detached and all alone, even if you’re surrounded by friends and family.
It was 15 years ago yesterday when Christian singer Tammy Trent, on vacation in a beautiful location, got sucker punched. While most of the world was glued to their televisions watching the tragedy of 9/11 unfold, she was in the Caribbean stunned by the death of her husband, Trent, just hours before.
Trent went free diving in a nearby lagoon to explore a 240-foot deep hole. Free diving is done without oxygen tanks, and Trent was good at. He’d been an experienced scuba diver since he was 12-years-old and could hold his breath under water for almost five minutes.
Tammy watched Trent swim to the hole. He waved goodbye to her, went below the surface … and she never saw him again.
By the time she realized something was wrong and rescue boats got to the spot where he’d disappeared, it was too late.
Later that night, the feeling of isolation overwhelmed Tammy so much she pulled every tangible object of comfort she could find – pillows and blankets – and dragged them into the smallest space available – the bathroom. That’s where she spent a sleepless night in tears.
The next morning, she cried out, “Lord, please send me someone to hold me – just one angel with a woman’s touch to hold me.”
At that moment, she heard someone in the room next door. Tammy poked her head into the hallway and saw a housekeeper come out of the room. Tammy said, “Ma’am could you come in and make my bed?”
The woman responded, “Oh, yes. I’ve been trying to get to you. I’ve heard you crying. Could I come in and just hold you?” She wrapped her arms around Tammy, held her tight, and began to pray for her.
On our radio broadcast today, we’re airing a recorded message from Tammy where she shares her story.
Tragedy can drive us into isolation, but God is always with us. He loves us and cares for us. Jesus Himself is “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). The Lord intimately understands our pain and promises to walk with us through our suffering.
I hope you’ll join us for this powerful message we’ve called “Learning to Live Again” on your local radio station, online, or via our free, downloadable mobile phone app.
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