My brief in these columns is to offer and provoke some thinking to do with issues of strategic thinking when it comes to churches. And yet sometimes events are so tough that I am not able to think strategically about what I am doing. I am thankful to be able to think at all. This week is one of those times.

It was Tuesday afternoon a week ago that a 2 year old boy from our church fell into his backyard pool. Though he was revived, by the end of the week tests revealed he had sustained too much brain damage to survive. After a difficult week for all concerned, he went to be with Jesus in the early hours of Saturday morning.

And because I know we are all human and will be thinking these questions - yes, the pool was fenced. And yes, the gate was locked. This was just a tragedy.

His family was so committed to Christ and our church, that they were known by almost everyone in our congregations. And in the midst of wrestling with the unfolding tragedy myself, even when he was still in hospital, it quickly became evident that almost all our church members were in shock and various stages of grief.

By mid-week we decided to set aside our program for Sunday - and can I just say, it was a good program! At one congregation, a young man was due to become baptised after becoming a Christian recently. At another, we were building up toward our second annual Kids Holiday Club, after a great start last year.

But God had other things in mind.

Indeed the question on everyone's lips was simple. Why? We know that 'God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28). But how could this be good? We know that there is suffering and tragedy in our world, and that there must be. But why is it dished up in the way that it is?

I had to tell them that I do not know.

The parents had asked me to pass on a message: the miracle that God performed was to bring him back which gave them a few more days together, so that in the end he died peacefully in his father's arms as they prayed, read a story as they normally would, and with his family around. It was overwhelming.

Off course, there have been good things come out of it already. Some who would not set foot inside a church have come. Many have been helped to focus on the important things, as these events powerfully force all to put things in perspective.

But none of that brings back the little boy who just a week earlier was running around among us.

And maybe herein lies the lesson: there is an urgency for people to know the power of Jesus to forgive. We must resist becoming complacent.

There will be a thanksgiving service later in the week. But in the meantime I would be grateful for any prayers for the saints at Toongabbie Anglican Church.