Let’s unpack this tired, threadbare assertion: Everything happens for a reason.
So, are we to assume that God is manipulating daily events in human lives? You got into a fender bender on the way to work because God nudged your car into the other person’s car? Why would God do this? The creator of the universe was bored? He thought you could use the valuable lesson? I think people just crash into one another and accidents happen. They don’t happen for a reason that is cosmic.
A seven-year-old girl dies of leukemia. Did that happen for a reason beyond the biological? God gave that girl this disease to … what? Teach the rest of us how precious and fragile life is? God hands out pain and fear to little girls for our benefit? Or perhaps it’s bigger than that. At the point of the big bang, that girl was always going to get leukemia—and maybe that’s the reason: it’s all part of the grander plan for the universe?
“God does things and it’s our job to try and figure it out, which we never will.” [sigh] You see, I’m an adult, so that is going to weigh but little with me. So the little girl dies of leukemia and my job is to marvel at the mystery of it all?? God works in mysterious ways and, Who knows why he gave this innocent girl this terrible disease? There’s a greater plan at work? And what MIGHT that greater plan be? I mean, hypothetically, what is a possible explanation?
I’m sorry, but the declaration “Everything happens for a reason” strikes me as patent nonsense. I think folks walk into funeral homes and want to say something deep and then they say something ludicrous. Being in a funeral home does not make you Aristotle. When there is a body involved, it’s not the best time to go pro. My advice: just keep it simple; say you’re sorry, say you feel bad, and leave it at that. Please don’t try to be profound. Because you’re not. You clearly have not thought about the words coming out of your mouth. Aristotle you are not.
And if you have done this in the recent past, don’t get down on yourself. Just stop doing it. Problem solved.
Oh, and another thing: at wakes, keep the line moving! Spare the world your wisdom and insight; there are other people waiting in line.
Instead of being sage and penetrating, be considerate.
