THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

Life can change in a split second. Over a week ago Monty Williams, assistant basketball coach of Oklahoma City Thunder still enjoyed his family life with a lovely wife and five beautiful children. Then, on Thursday, February 11, everything changed. His wife, Ingrid, was killed when a car crossed over the center lane and hit her car head-on. She was 44. She died leaving her children, ages 5-17.THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

Life can change in a split second. Over a week ago Monty Williams, assistant basketball coach of Oklahoma City Thunder still enjoyed his family life with a lovely wife and five beautiful children. Then, on Thursday, February 11, everything changed. His wife, Ingrid, was killed when a car crossed over the center lane and hit her car head-on. She was 44. She died leaving her children, ages 5-17.

During memorial service Monty Williams talked about his love for his wife and children—how eager he was to go home after work so that he could be with his family—and how his wife always encouraged him to look up to Jesus. When his dream to play basketball crushed due to a medical condition, she told him, “Honey, Jesus can heal your heart.” He misses Ingrid terribly but he wants to keep matter in perspective, which is the Word of God.

He learns from Psalm 73:1 that God is good, “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.” And from 1 John 4:16 he learns that God is love, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” Moving on, he clings to Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” He uses this lens to view this loss and to forgive the person responsible for her death.

Donald Gee in his book, “The Fruit of the Spirit,” says, “Trouble can affect a man in one of two opposite ways. It can either make him bitter, or make him tender.” I have seen people turn bitter after going through tragedy. When I saw Monty Williams, I saw a tender-hearted man. Yes, tragedy can change our lives in a split second but God’s Word can also change our perspective in a split second. God is good to us, God loves us, and God will work things out for us.

Pastor Paul

During memorial service Monty Williams talked about his love for his wife and children—how eager he was to go home after work so that he could be with his family—and how his wife always encouraged him to look up to Jesus. When his dream to play basketball crushed due to a medical condition, she told him, “Honey, Jesus can heal your heart.” He misses Ingrid terribly but he wants to keep matter in perspective, which is the Word of God.

He learns from Psalm 73:1 that God is good, “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.” And from 1 John 4:16 he learns that God is love, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” Moving on, he clings to Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” He uses this lens to view this loss and to forgive the person responsible for her death.

Donald Gee in his book, “The Fruit of the Spirit,” says, “Trouble can affect a man in one of two opposite ways. It can either make him bitter, or make him tender.” I have seen people turn bitter after going through tragedy. When I saw Monty Williams, I saw a tender-hearted man. Yes, tragedy can change our lives in a split second but God’s Word can also change our perspective in a split second. God is good to us, God loves us, and God will work things out for us.

Pastor Paul