Suitcase Abuse

Pam was packing her bag getting ready for a quick trip to visit Bryndyn and family (better known as… seeing the grandkids) and wondering what to pack for Missouri weather. I’m a moping mess when she’s gone but happy that her Spring break allows her the opportunity to see Caelleb, Tia and Kobe (and their adult wardens). When I got to the office I received a call that a former Roseville church member Haskell Meadors had passed away. I got on line to view his obituary and immediately saw that the Tracy police department was reporting that the missing 8 year old, Sandra Cantu’s remains had been found when a nearby farmer drained a collection pond. Her remains had been stuffed into a suitcase that apparently had been tossed into the collection pond about two miles away from the mobile park where she lived. My heart sank. My spirit whispered, “Suitcases are for anticipated trips and joyous reunions not macabre chambers to hide the most heinous of crimes.”

The newspapers chronicle the history of mankind all too often revealing the unconscionable acts of the villainous depraved among us. We are sickened by their callous invalidation of the sanctity of life and appalled at the darkness that fills their souls. We are amazed at a God who laments not only their victims but longs for their repentance (2 Peter 3:9). We are glad that He is their judge for we long for their annihilation. We want the bell unrung and the innocent restored and vindicated. We want life to be fair! We will take our lumps and bumps but children are to be hedged around by an impenetrable army of angels! We want a world without Satan!

The Easter story affirms to us that God too longs for that Day which He secured through the cross. A day of resurrection where neither the grave nor the ravages of time, nor an ill-fated suitcase can stop the rebirth of life! God chooses not to prevent the evil machinations of the depraved but He will not let it be victorious. Death will be swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54). Our God reigns… victory is through our Lord Jesus Christ! Now that’s the Easter Story! -DAN