In June of 2016, tragedy struck in the lives of Matt and Melissa Graves as they vacationed with their two children at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Their two-year-old son, Lane, was playing by the shoreline of the Seven Seas Lagoon when he was grabbed by an alligator. Matt Graves fought the alligator but was unable to prevent it from pulling his son into the water. Sixteen hours later, the body of Lane Graves was found.
Throughout this tragic and life-shattering event, despite their heartbreaking loss, Matt and Melissa Graves have demonstrated what can only be called true grace, a grace that comes from God. In a country where lawsuits are filed at the drop of a hat, they chose not to sue Disney World over their loss. Instead, they chose to honor their son by helping others. They created the Lane Thomas Foundation, an organization designed to help families of children in need of organ transplants. Their loss has been turned into grace born in the face of tragedy, a grace in their time of need.
In our times of trouble, in our suffering and loss, and in times of tragedy, we can count on God’s grace to see us through. Jesus knows and empathizes with our human weaknesses and our frailties. he knows what it means to feel pain (Hebrews 4:15). Because of this, we can continue to pray, knowing that Jesus intercedes for all who draw near to God. We can approach God’s throne of grace with the confidence that He is merciful and that in Him we will find grace in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16).
A Worshiper's Journal 