Victim’s parents find strength in God’s ‘permissive will’

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–When violence crushed Jacksonville nursing student Sarah Whitlock’s longtime goal of serving in medical missions and ministering to South America’s needy, parents Gary and Paula could not be found shaking fists to heaven or grumbling to God.

Instead the two sought for His glory to overshadow their daughter’s March 11 death by voicing her love for life and demonstrating confidence in God’s sovereignty and “permissive will” even in Sarah’s stabbing.

The Whitlocks courageously communicated their sentiments during the 23-year-old’s beachfront memorial service led by pastors of Jacksonville’s Church at Chet’s Creek where the parents are members.

But the strength to hold fast to their faith through the realization of “a parent’s worst nightmare” was not without struggle.

Gary Whitlock said he fought questioning God even as the media repeatedly demanded his attention upon dreadful details.

Killed by an intruder in her Riverside apartment, Sarah’s death earned national interest early in the investigation, and increased when information surfaced suggesting her killer entered her home by impersonating a police officer. Media attention intensified when police arrested a 17-year-old male suspect with an established criminal record.

“You want to start to question why, but if you continually do you become consumed by it,” the father said. The loss of their daughter came during a time when the family was already facing financial trials from his unemployment.

Still, he uttered only assurance in God’s ability to work this out for good.

“There is absolutely nothing that is lost in God’s economy,” said the unemployed physical therapist.

“God is loving and benevolent and He proved that on the cross,” Whitlock noted. “So even though you don’t understand things, His love is never in doubt because all you have to do is look to the cross to see His love poured out.”

An emotional Paula Whitlock echoed her husband’s attitude, insisting her faith exists for such a time as this.

“I either believe God or I don’t,” she said. “If I truly trust that He is who He says He is – our almighty Father and Comforter – then I’m supposed to behave differently during my trials and look to Him to help me.”

And though the mother grieved the brevity of her daughter’s life, Paula said she understood the importance of exhibiting God’s strength during this time.

“I believe people need to see just how strong and loving He is during tribulations. We have to believe that He is who He is all the time, not just sometimes,” she said. “I truly believe, and I’m counting on God to bring good out of this.”

In many ways the Whitlock family has already experienced a measure of goodness through the “emotional, spiritual and practical support” of their church, family, friends and community.

They offered tissues and toilet paper, meals, hugs and legal advice. Paula said she sensed God’s goodness in every gift.

“Every time one person does something for us I feel like God is reminding us of His love and He is going to see us through,” she said.

Such gestures of kindness have fueled her faith in this time of need, she added.

“I am grateful that God would take the time for all the little things and send all these people. Without the prayer and the support I would be shut in my room and wouldn’t come out.”

And those who have rallied around speak with amazement at the family’s strength through this trial.

“They have demonstrated a solid faith through this even as they are being tested as never before,” said Glenn Reese, pastor of Christian development at Church at Chet’s Creek.

“Their steady faith displayed a trust in God that has been an incredible part of their account,” Reese added.

As long as the platform remains to point people to God through Sarah’s life and death, the Whitlocks said they desire above all else to bring Him glory by acting out His love as the investigation continues to unfold.

“In the midst of this whole situation we just want to make sure that we carry out whatever He wants us to and bring Him glory no matter what He asks of us,” Gary Whitlock said. “The biggest thing at this point is to let people know our strength is in Him.”