Neal Pollard
About twenty-four hours after being part of a car crash in northwest Colorado, Stone Martin, at age nine, made the transition from time to eternity. Now, he rests in comfort in Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22) with the penitent thief (Luke 23:43) and all the saints of the ages (cf. 2 Pet. 2:9) who await, free of heartaches, trials, and earthly cares, that timeless moment for which all the redeemed live and long.
The Martin family typify so well what faithful Christians everywhere do when faced with a tragedy like this (Tom Holland wrote, many years ago, that few things in life are more tragic than the loss of a child because it is out of the natural order and untimely). As shock yields to resignation, grief and understandable, though not permanent, despair, this faithful couple and the rest of the family will continue to stand. Why? How?
Proverbs 10:25 says, “When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation.” Jesus says the righteous dig deep and lay their foundation on the rock (Luke 6:48). Terrible, tumultuous storms like this can occur, and it shakes violently at one’s foundations. Trivializing or minimizing the hurt and pain felt at such a moment as this is immoral and unthinking! Yet, this dear family will spiritually survive and their optimistic hope will influence for good because of a promise made by One who referred to Himself as The Rock. The fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:18) and arose from His grave (Acts 2:29-33) means that dear people like the Martins can take heart from Paul’s words and not “sorrow as others who have no hope” (1 Thes. 4:13). Yes, they will sorrow in a protracted and penetrating way. Their lives will not be as they once were. But, they now live with extra incentive for the realization of that moment when they will enjoy that unending, blissful reunion with saved loved ones and to see, once more, Stone, who will have been at rest upon The Rock of ages!
The Preacher Pollard Blog 
This is one of the best things you have ever written brother! Thank you for your thoughts.
Thanks, brother. It was written when my heart was as heavy as I can remember. I’m not intimate friends with the Martins, but I’ve seen their grief firsthand and only imagine how intense it must be inside.
thank you Neal!
Truly beautiful reminder of a truly beautiful child of Gods… Thanks
Thanks, Gage.
Neal,
Your words are so appropriate to help this and other grieving families.
The brotherhood is lucky to have men like you!
In Christ, Chuck Davis
Thanks, Chuck. You are very kind.
Wonderfully spoken, Amen! God can bring us through anything.
Thank you, Tommie.
Thank you, Neil for the comforting words for the Martins and us all. Brother Jerry Martin is one of the closest brethren and friend who has ever enter into my life, and my heart is truly broken for him, Denise and his entire family. May our Lord comfort them in their time of grief and sorrow.
They are wonderful, godly people who are hurting right now.
Such a wonderful tribute! Thanks for this!
I wish there had been no occasion for it, but I admire their hope and faith in all this.