Bad things don't happen for a reason. There is no impetus behind death and destruction. When someone gets Cancer, or loses a job, or is in a car accident there is no reasonable being controlling the situation. However if we don't take the bad things and let God work good in them then not only is there no reason but there is no point. God is the point and he can work wonders in every situation if we just let him.
This is Palmer...
Palmer was a missionary working at our church this summer. He had come up from Tennessee because he has a heart to reach people for God, and this year God asked him to come to New England. This past week he has been at Bike Week in Laconia, NH camping out with three other college kids and making pancakes for bikers everyday. Showing them God's love through some good ole southern cooking! Yesterday afternoon when they were driving "home" a lady in an oncoming truck veered into the wrong lane and hit them head on. Yesterday evening Palmer was in surgery and last night he was welcomed home by his Lord and Saviour.
Last night a girl in our local grocery store was told who Palmer was and why he was here. Last night my facebook page proclaimed who Palmer was and why he was here and invited over 200 friends who didn't know his God and mine to call me if they wanted to know more. This morning all the other assistants in my office were told who Palmer was and why he was here.
One of the girls who came up from the South with him said last night that Palmer had a heart for the lost. Not just to see them come to know the Lord but to help them take their first steps. Not just to rack up numbers like an evangelical who's who list but to help people find the reality of a living God in their daily lives.
I said hello to the missionaries on Sunday Morning, but I never got to know Palmer or the others who are still here. But I mourn with them for a young life cut short and will not let his purpose in life die with him. This may be a senseless act of destruction but my goodness I intend to make sure that everyone I meet knows who Palmer Maphet was and why he was here. Then they will see the point.
Thank you
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he sounds like an extraordinary young man. a beautiful post for a life taken too soon; praying that his family finds comfort knowing he is with our Heavely Father.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a thoughtful statement of Who God is and why Palmer was spending his summer in Maine. Yes, destruction of a young life is an evil tragedy. And Yes, the God we know can step in and do good even in these hard times.
ReplyDeleteBill C
Tennessee
Thank you for your thoughful statement. I was so blessed to worship with Palmer every sunday, and watch him interact with all our students. We are holding on to God's promise, and that is we will see him again soon. I love you, and you will be missed my sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteAmanda B.
Cookeville, TN
Thank you for this. I am a part of the team Palmer was serving with and you hit the nail on the head with every statement you said. God's got big plans and He's going to be glorified through this tragedy! Thank you again for this post!
ReplyDeleteLegon
Tennessee
Thank you so much for this, Sarah! Palmer was an amazing man of God and I am a better person because of Palmer Maphet. God will be glorified through Palmer's death just as much as He was during Palmer's life. I sure will miss him but we'll praise the name of Jesus together in Glory!
ReplyDelete<3 C
South Asia :)
Those of us in Palmer's hometown also thank you for your thoughtful post and for sharing with countless people who he was.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beautiful post. Our church family is grieving deeply for Palmer. Many have read and appreciated your kind words.
ReplyDeleteTiffany
Nashville, TN
WOW. I saw this and wasnt quite sure why I read it, but glad I did. I didn't know Palmer, his mission, church family at home or in Maine. But I do know Bike Week. I never ran into Palmer or his fellow missionaries there, but hearing what he was doing there touched my heart. I grew up in that type of atmosphere and know it is a tough group to witness to. I am humbled to hear God was using this young man to do His work, which I have been afraid to do.
ReplyDeleteMay you rest in peace, Palmer, at the right hand of the Father.
So glad that I read this story. What a wonderful young man...and I so agree with your title...Love your blog...
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know, Palmer's memory will live on. The Palmer Maphet Memorial Fund has been established and we are having our inaugural Palmer Maphet Memorial 5K on April 9th. It will be a fun run/walk, and proceeds will go towards scholarships for Mt. Juliet High School (TN) graduates and for grants to college students that have chosen to do mission work during their breaks. Palmer was a very big part of many lives and his is missed. If you would like more information, or would like to make a donation you can contact us at pmmf5k@gmail.com.
ReplyDelete