“I have no words.”
I have heard that phrase over and over the past 5 days, both in my mind and from the mouths of my dearest of friends, and it is true. There are absolutely no words to describe the hurt, pain, confusion, frustration, sadness, and sorrow that we have experienced as a family. Without any doubt these have been the most difficult days I have ever walked through. I have no words.
But just as I have no words for the pain, I also have no words for how incredibly faithful my Lord has been. He has lavished grace upon grace upon grace over and over again. If I tried to write down all the evidences of God’s grace, it would take hours. I have seen the Lord comfort my mother so much that she has now been able to encourage her friends. I have seen the Lord reunite old friendships from the past. I have seen the Lord heal broken friendships. I have seen the Lord work out nearly impossible details concerning this tragic ordeal. On and on I could go. From the moment I walked in the door of my mother’s house on Saturday morning the Father began pouring out His Spirit over the house and our lives. He has flooded our hearts, and it has been amazing. He has used the body of Christ all over the world to show his nearness to us. I have no words.
I will never be able to adequately thank all of the thousands of saints who have interceded for us this past week. I will never be able to hug every neck of everyone who has sent cards, notes, or Facebook messages. As I write this note there is a local chef who is in my mother’s kitchen cooking a massive meal that would cost a fortune if we ordered it at the restaurant. I have no words.
In thinking back on my father’s life, I am blown away at how he taught me and my brother how to love the unlovable. But my father was only able to love because Christ first loved him. I am beyond thankful that he took me to Africa when I was 14 to share Christ’s salvation with people who had never heard the name Jesus. But my father was only able to share Christ because Christ first saved him. For me, I am only able to cope with my father’s death because my Savior is alive and conquered death. I know that my father is literally worshipping at Christ’s feet as I write this and that excites me. I have no words.
I leave you for now with this text from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. 8For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
Blessings,
Hunter.
You do have words and I’m grateful you shared them. Your father was an inspiration, a wonderful pastor, teacher, and friend. He will be missed but I’m grateful that we will see him in Heaven. May your family always experience the peace that only comes from Him.
A. Griffith
Love you and the family so much Hunt. Thanks for sharing. The Lord is faithful.
Glory be to our Lord! I’m thankful for your voice and bold declaration of a kind and loving God even as you face such horrific circumstances. My prayer is for you, your family and the generation ahead – that your lives would continue to be a testament to God’s strength and indescribable mercy. Love, biz
Your faith is very encouraging. Thank you for continuing to point the way to our Savior. I will praying for you guys on and on.
I have no words either, Hunter, only that I am so proud of the men that you and Daniel have become and the way that you cared for your mom during the service yesterday. You are both part of your dad’s legacy and heritage. May the God of All Comfort continue to wrap you in His arms.
Hunter— Paul’s letter is one I’ve read many times, over and over again. It’s so beautiful, and it is so comforting to hear in the midst of great suffering/confusion. As humans, we experience suffering in many different forms.. Some of us may experience it with divorce, some with emotional pain, some with disease, others through the death of a child, sibling, parent… In times like these, we look to scripture for clarity… To help us make sense of such tragic situations, but it all comes back to Christ. We are here for His glory, and His glory alone. I’ll share with you a portion of a poem that I wrote a while back after being inspired by this letter from Paul.
“Lord, I’ll patiently endure,
all uncertainties obscure.
If only to bring glory to your name, Father,
Then, consider my heart assure.”
We may never understand why… But one thing we know, and feel, is God’s loving comfort all around us.
When, “I have no words”, my prayer for those experiencing suffering is just this..
“Lord, comfort them in ways only You know how…”
This is my prayer for you all. I love you Hunter Hall and miss you dearly. I will come and see
you soon..
Hunter, you and your family have touched so many through your godly example in this tragedy. You make me want to love Jesus more. Love you, brother.
Hunter, I am so very proud of the man you’ve become. I wasn’t able to attend the memorial service but watched it online. The one thing that stood out to me and touched my heart, was that as ya’ll were singing songs of worship to the Lord, I saw you and your wife w/hands raised high in praise and adoration in the midst of sorrow. I am and have been praying for you all since Sat morning and will continue to lift your family and HGBC up to the Lord. May the Shalom of God surround your heart and give you hope and encouragement in the days to come. In HIS Love, Laura
Hunter, there is so much I want to say. I love you all and am praying for you, really says it all. Thank you for you encouraging words, a big part of my heartbreak has been for your family. This helps me know that you have placed your hopes and faith in the Lord, and I know how faithful He is. In Gods strength…
It’s true that there are no words for your family and those of us left here without your Dad’s daily presence, questioning why it often seems the best, most godly people leave this earth. But it is not for us to judge the depth of anyone else’s pain. We all have “stuff” and we all wrestle to understand our inner turmoil and the past or present life issues that contribute to the struggle. It can become a vortex of pain, confusion and despair that few can comprehend unless they themselves have been there.
However, as a Christian and one whose life was touched and blessed by your Dad I can say that not everything is meant for our understanding. That is where our faith and the comfort that only comes from the Lord take over. Yes, he is gone from us and that is tough to understand, but we know where he is AND that we will see him again someday (although he might take second fiddle to the big guy. . . maybe. . .just sayin’). That is what we rest in. That is one of the ways God comforts us. That is what we have to look forward to. That, and the fact that he is up there watching over us all at the same time. THAT IS AMAZING!
I love you guys and it was wonderful to see you yesterday despite the circumstances. Your mom (whom I love dearly), you, Daniel and your families are an amazing example and testimony to the love and work of Jesus Christ. I will continue to pray for your peace, comfort, and strength in the days, weeks, months and years ahead! Thanks for your words!
Praying for you and your precious Mama.
Love you, Huntie. My heart is absolutely broken for what you and your precious family are going through. I can’t begin to imagine the pain, but I know the Lord sustains His children. We are praying with heavy hearts, but also with anticipation of how He will use this to bring about more of Himself. We love you guys.
Hunter, the only words that I have is your dad was an amazing man. His thumbprint will remain on so many lives. I will not begin a new study of the Bible without first thinking or your dad because he took the time to teach me how. Thank you for your words, your family is such an amazing witness and testimony to our Lord and Savior.
Hunter, thank you for your beautiful words. Your faith as you walk through this tragedy is such a testimony to others. Thank you for ministering to us in the midst of your grief.
Hunter, what a wise young man you have become. Your godly life and ministry are a living testimony of how your dad “walked the walked” and not just “talked the talk”.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us and for being a comfort to us with your words.
Hey Hunter, thanks for sharing. I didn’t get to hug your neck and tell you have much I’ve been grieving for you and all your family on Tuesday, but you know I’m with you all and have been praying and praying for God’s loving arms to be wrapped tightly around y’all. I’ve been struggling to understand the situation, but it isn’t for me to understand. I can’t imagine how hard it is for you guys. But, I find comfort in a couple of things.
First, is the fact that we can’t fully understand everything that happens, but we will at some point. 1 Cor. 13 – “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” We love you all. We hold on to that faith and know that your dad, and my brother in Christ, is right there in Heaven worshiping face to face with the One that made a way for all of us to come to Him! And we hold on to the hope that we will be here ready for Christs return.
Second, we also know that God is a God of the living and not the dead. Everyone that believes in Him are not dead, but are made alive in Christ. Matt 22:32 – ” ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” Also, Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. The Spirit that God gives us that is quickened with our souls returns immediately to God when our bodies are shed. Like you said, your dad is right there, right now praising the One that made the way for him. That is a great feeling to know that we will be there with your dad one day.
I’m here if you need anything.
Hunter,
There never seem to be words at a time like this but but sharing your heart in words just as David did in the Psalms, brings healing and comfort to many. Thank you for sharing your heart and love with all of us. I love your family and will be praying for all of you for many days to come.
Hunter,
Your post touches my heart. I can’t imagine the pain you’re experiencing, but know that even through this tragedy God is using you to touch people with the Gospel and express God’s grace.
I’m praying Psalm 147:3 for you and yours: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Blessings,
Jeremy
I appreciate your words, Hunter. HGBC was the only church I ever considered “home”, and you and your family played a big role in that.
Dear Hunter,
I’m Elizabeth Snyder and Rebecca Snyder Shows’ older sister.. we met long ago when I attended Hunter’s Glen for a time. When I lost my mom years ago, I know there wasn’t really anything anyone could say that would bring me comfort. In fact, even God’s word, only really brought comfort in my time with Him alone- out of someone else’s mouth, it didn’t do as much for me. I guess because no one could enter into the depths of that with me to the degree He could (and still does).. siblings and parents came close, but ultimately, grieving, at its lowest point, could only be truly between the Lord and me. So, yah, words.. I love them. I am a word girl, but words in general lose steam in a place like this. For the right now, I will just acknowledge that this sucks. I am overwhelmed with sadness for you and Daniel in the loss of your dad- and Martha in the loss of her husband. I remember your dad’s words at Rachel’s funeral. Almost the first words out of his mouth were, “This casket sitting right here is just wrong. It’s wrong.” I couldn’t have said it better then or now.
For later on when the world is less blurry…
I loved so many things about your dad, especially his smile. My sister found her faith under the wings of your father. Her faith led to a renewal in mine to where I really fell in love with the Lord for the first time.. and my little boy accepted Jesus into his heart in that sanctuary. Layers and layers of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness poured from your father into my family. I am eternally grateful to God for Kim Hall. Your dad was the first pastor I respected as an adult, and he was instrumental in me finding my way back to Jesus. He met with me one day when I was a terrified, broken young woman, and all we talked about were doubts. His words have comforted me for years and will continue to do so this side of heaven. Hunter, when it still hurts but the world has started moving forward again, just know this- I will remember. My family will remember.
I don’t understand a lot of things about this broken world. But..one thing I know for sure, one thing I would bet on any hour of the week, the one thing that I have seen the God of Psalm 18 show me in tangible ways time and time again… is that He is faithful.
His,
Sarah