So here we have an elderly lady who has been unwell for some time and yet, we have young people who have died with no warning whatsoever. I am reminded of the story of the child who asked his dad to tell him what age people are when they die. The father handed the little boy some string and told him to go around the cemetery and measure the headstones. The little boy did just that. When he had finished, the father asked him what size the headstones were. The little boy replied they were all different sizes; to which the father explained it was just like death; it takes all ages. It surely reminds us of the importance of being ready.
Our hearts today go out to the dear man who lost his wife of many years. Our hearts also go out to the family in our locality who have lost a daughter and to those in England affected by this terrible attack. But our hearts also go out to the families of little children and indeed adults in Kenya and Uganda who have lost their lives due to the great drought. They may not be on our doorstep as some of these other events...but they are still lives which have been lost and there are still families there who weep for the loss of those they love.
We know that each are suffering real pain in their own circumstances and we pray that all will know comfort in these difficult days.