We lost a wonderful husband, father, pastor, and Old Testament scholar last night. Prof. Al Groves of Westminster Theological Seminary died of complications from Melanoma. I had the pleasure of taking Hebrew from him. I’m not a great language person but I have to say it was a pleasure. He knew how to make it enjoyable.
He and his family have been very open about the dying process. If you want to see a picture of faith and strength in the midst of hardship, check out their blog, www.algroves.info. Make sure you read his wife’s entry on 1/30/07.
I must confess I have a harder time sharing in their joy over his rest and peace. I think I might if I had been so close to his suffering as they have been. But, I am overwhelmed with the vivid reminder that this life is full of pain and heartache and death. This is not the way it was supposed to be. So, I hang on to Ps 121 which tells us that God hangs on to our very soul and I pray Hab. 3: that I will rejoice though there are no cattle in the stall…and no figs on the trees.
Musings on Faith and Psychology 
I am very sorry for your loss. I read some of the family’s blog…and honestly cannot fathom it. The longer I’m a Christian, the less I understand. I’d be screaming “Maranatha!” if I didn’t have so many yet unsaved family and loved ones.
“And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.”
Barb: Al’s children gathered around Al’s bed shortly after he died and sang that hymn. They felt the loss, too, but were celebrating because the one they loved felt no more pain and suffering.