When Bad Things Happen To God's People
(The Jim McDaniel Story)

(By: Jim McDaniel)

On Saturday, 8/15/98, Pastor Jim and Bro. Scott came to Muskegon Temporary Facility to visit Brothers Bert, Brian, Don, and myself. At that time I was unable to disclose in detail how I was able to "trust in the Lord" during the most tragic period of my life, the loss of my wife Lisa and our four daughters, Melissa, Rebecca, Barbara, and Samantha.

Most, if not all, men who come to prison suffer loss in one form or another. I was no different. Shortly after I came to prison my wife (now ex-wife) Lisa filed for a divorce and to terminate my parental rights to my children. Before the termination of my parental rights was ordered, Lisa got herself into some trouble of her own, and the State of Michigan, likewise, petitioned to terminate her parental rights as well.

Before things were finalized, the Lord worked a blessing in my life through the Judge who was handling the matter. That blessing was a final visit with my daughters whom I had not seen in over two years. I knew that the visit was going to be hard. I needed the strength to 1) make it through the visit without breaking down; 2) have the ability to "set the record straight" with my children in the respect that I loved them and that I had done wrong and deserved to be punished; and 3) let my children, whom I love to this day with all of my heart, go gracefully.

I had to follow the admonition of Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." I knew that I had done wrong. What I questioned was had I done so wrong that I deserved this? I had to "trust in the Lord" in that He would make this visit very special as well as make the outcome the best for all concerned.

I had to have strength. I relied upon Philippians 4:13; "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The final visit is both one of the saddest, yet happiest, moments of my life. Its memories are forever ingrained in my mind. If I were going to "trust in the Lord" I had to look at that visit as being a blessing rather than a cursing. Had it not been God's will, I wouldn't have seen my daughters.

It seemed like the two hours that I had been granted flew by. It seemed like I was suddenly being forced to say "goodbye." Emotionally, I could feel myself slipping. I didn't want to let them go. I had to continually rely on Philippians 4:13 as well and stand upon the first part of Romans 8:28; "And we know that all things (even this situation) work together for good to them that love God..." As I write these words I can clearly recall the looks on the faces of my daughters as they were being led from the room...their nervous smiles...the waving of their tiny hands which God had created.

I continue to this day to become saddened and edgy during the holidays and on their birthdays. I continue to struggle with the loss of losing them. To my knowledge my daughters were adopted into two loving homes. The eldest, Melissa, was adopted into one home, and Rebecca, Barbara, and Samantha were adopted into another home. I am so grateful to God that my children didn't have to be passed around from foster home to foster home as so many similarly situated children do. I am confidant that my children are being raised to be happy, healthy, productive, and God worshipping people.

I pray that once I am released from prison and at home, there will come a knock on my door and it will be all of my daughters. I know that it can and will happen. "My God IS an awesome God!"

Dear Reader - are you at peace with God?  If not, you can be.  Do you know what awaits you when you die?  You can have the assurance from the Holy Spirit that heaven will be your home, if you would like to be certain.  Either Jesus Christ died for yours sins, or He didn't (He did!).  Are you prepared to stand before God on the Judgment Day and tell Him that you didn't need the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross to cover your sins?  We plead with you ... please don't make such a tragic mistake.

To be at peace with God; to make certain heaven will be your home for eternity; to make certain that you are in right-standing with God right now ... please click here to help understand the importance of being reconciled to God.  What you do about being reconciled to God will determine where you will spend eternity, precious one.  Your decision to be reconciled to God is the most important decision you'll ever make in this life.