The other day I drove up to visit Eric and Martha Cherry, my dear friends who lost their son, Christopher, to Malaria. As it turns out, the whole family had been struggling with the flu so when Christopher got sick they presumed he also had the flu. When he did not improve but got worse they took him to the hospital. The hospital discovered Christopher had Malaria and started treating him. The next morning on August 25, despite the hospital’s best efforts, Christopher died. Later that day Christopher’s body was transported to where the family lives in Northern Benin and the next morning he was buried on the Cherry family’s new property.
As I interacted with Eric and Martha I saw a beautiful grace in the midst of their terrible loss and profound mourning. The characteristic graciousness, concern and care to, and for others that mark the Cherry family beautifully poured out of their lives in midst of their own intense pain. They were in no way trying to gloss over their pain but were fully leaning into the pain of their loss and at the same time letting God’s grace bestow joy, kindness and graciousness. I truly do not have the words to describe the loveliness I saw in the midst of heartache.
I have talked to others who interacted and helped the Cherry family and all have commented on this beauty and strength of character in the Cherry family. Hospital staff completely blown away that Martha went out of her way after the death of Christopher to say thank you for their efforts. Eric’s deep concern for Christopher’s Beninese friends and his assurance to them that Christopher is in heaven. On and on the stories could go.
The beauty of grace in the lives of the Cherries has deeply impacted me. I hope and pray that my visit to them brought some measure of encouragement. However, the wonderfully beautiful grace of God that poured out of their lives during their own affliction has tremendously encouraged and challenged me. Oh Lord, may I surrender to you so that your grace can pour out rather than my own efforts.