“Now as they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Yeshua sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village before you. Right away, you’ll find a donkey tied up and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Master needs them.’ And right away he will send them.””
Matthew 21:1-3 TLV
Karen Callihan is one of my hero’s. She made an impression upon me when I was a young mom at Shady Grove Church and a story she told me in 2002 still echos in me today.
I was pregnant with Randal when her 17 year old son passed away in an accident. I watched how she grieved her loss while comforting many of the youth. I witnessed her pouring out worship to G-d, completely abandoned, in spite of her pain. It was a testament of something I didn’t have and it drew me to her.
When Randal was born a few months after Caleb died, I had the chance to spend time with her, and I finally got the courage to ask her about her grief. I wanted to know how she was able to comfort others and worship so freely. How was she not a puddle all the time?!
The story she told me that day remains in my heart today. She explained how years before she knew a couple that finally conceived after years of infertility only to have their baby still born. Rightfully so, they were devastated. At the baby’s funeral, the pastor explained that he asked the Lord what he should say at a funeral for one so innocent that might bring a measure of comfort and help those in attendance try to make sense of her death. He then said these words, “Tell them the Master has need of her.”
Karen explained how the words spoken years before became her anchor as she buried her own son. She said Caleb was excellent at almost everything he did, and one thing he really wanted to succeed at in his senior year was being part of the worship team. I still remember her smile as she said he got what he wanted – he was on the best worship team. She then asked me this question. “Can you imagine the purity of worship that comes from the babies surrounding the Throne who have never known the trappings of this world? I like to think Caleb is there, among them, leading them.” I couldn’t, until I’d lost own babies, and then I began to understand what she meant.
It was a simple – yet insanely profound truth – that resonates anew with me today. That lost relationship? The Master needs them for a different assignment that doesn’t include me. That lost church – the one we loved that closed? The Master needed to send us out to birth worship in other places. That lost dream? The Master needs to make a way for something else. That lost hope? The Master needs to refocus me.
From death comes life. I wish I knew that baby girl’s name from Karen’s story. I wish her parents knew that her life and her memory is a blessing today.
I don’t know what you’re facing. I don’t know your loss or pain. But I do know one thing – nothing offered or given to Him is ever wasted. Maybe the only offering I can bring Him today is my broken heart – the good news is that He has need of that too.
Father – thank You for never giving up on me. Bless Karen today and the family of that baby girl whose story is still being told. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Matthew 20-21
November 1, 2022