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Beyond Today: Moving Beyond Tragedy

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Moving Beyond Tragedy

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Our Beyond Today film crew is on the road today to Sugar Creek, Ohio. We have come to interview John and Susan Miller for an upcoming program called, "Moving Beyond Tragedy."

John and Susan lost their one year old son, Jonathan, in an accident 26 years ago. We visited the location where it happened and the cemetery where Jonathan is buried. The Millers are very open about the experience and willing to share their story with others in hope it will help anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one. They tell a moving and compelling story of how their family worked through the suffering and moved on with life.

Sugar Creek is set in the northeast Ohio farmland of Holmes County. This is Amish country. Horsedrawn buggies moved by as we filmed. It is a lush and verdant setting to tell a story of a life cut short and a family that does not have a day go by without thinking what might have been.

We came here with the thought of a program on suffering and why God allows bad things to happen to innocent and good people. But as John and Susan tell the story it it obvious they did not blame God nor did they blame each other for Jonathan's death. Their thoughts centered on the resurrection. As John tells it the truth of the resurrection became more than a doctrine and a piece of dry theology. The hope that God will raise the dead in a future resurrection has been an anchor of solace for the them through the long years. Christ said the truth will set one free. For the Millers, the anchoring truth of the resurrection set them free from guilt, fear and pain.

We'll finish taping tomorrow and return home. I am glad we came here to film and pray the story will help those who watch the program when it airs.

Comments

  • Kandy K Goodrich

    We feel deeply for those who have lost a child, as we too have experienced that trial. Our 3rd child died at just under 1 year of age. We were blessed to have him for the time that we did -the doctors gave him days or possibly weeks, as his condition (Trisomy-18) is considered a "fatal" condition and "incompatible with life". It has been 13 years since our little Christopher fell asleep in my arms. He is now waiting for the resurrection, where he will not have the physical and mental problems that were part of his life. His sister(10 yrs old), will finally get to meet her brother. His parents and older brothers will be reunited with him once again. Since his death, the Last Great Day has become the most meaningful Holy Day to me. We are so blessed to know the truth of the resurrections.

  • mm2smile

    Being the niece of John and Susan, I have been around them and known how they handled the tragedy for most of my life. Now that I've grown up, I realize more and more how unique that perspective is and how the truth of this hope has helped them grow stronger together and in God when so often such an event tears families apart. I very much look forward to meeting my cousin at that resurrection. Thank you Uncle John and Aunt Susan for being such great examples.

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