Friday, November 11, 2016

HANNA SEAMAN


I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)

Hanna died. On that day, she was playing in the yard with her new puppy. Her mother called to her to take down the dry wash from the clothes line because a huge thunder storm had moved into the area.

Grabbing her puppy and putting him in the barn, she ran to the clothes line. The wind was cutting up and making it difficult for the little girl to grab hold of the clothing. Just when she was about finished collecting the laundry, she was struck with lightening. Her mother saw what had happened, and ran to rescue her. Hanna was dead. Oh, such grief!

The Seaman family had been among the few families that started St. Michael’s Church in Berks County, Pennsylvania in the early 1700s. The church is still used, and there is an age-old and newer cemetery. In the earlier graveyard are people who died in the Revolutionary War and before that time.

A tombstone in the old graveyard:

Hanna Seaman

Died at 10 years

 July 7, 1761

 struck by lightening

When one walks between the tombstones in the original area, one wonders what life was like back then and how different it is now. So many changes in the 250 years, and yet the Christian Church still stands and ministers to those who have lost loved ones. We are not separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Dear Lord, We thank You for life as You give it.

 

© 2016 Mary Burkey

 

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