How to go
What: "Dealing with the Loss of a Loved One," presented by Frank and Sue Zitzman
When: 10 a.m. Sunday
Where: Veritas Church, 5656 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Liberty Twp.
LIBERTY TWP. — Frank and Sue Zitzman acted differently before — and after — their 17-year-old son, Troy, was killed in a motorcycle accident seven years ago in Butler, Pa.
While the couple grieved the loss of their son, they never questioned God or why he ripped their son out of their lives.
Instead, they leaned on their faith and its strong foundation. It was as if they prepared for their son’s loss years before.
“One of the things that has stood out to me was how well-grounded he was in his faith and in the principles of the word of God before this tragedy ever took place,” said the Rev. Chris Russell, senior pastor at Veritas Church. “Frank did not know he was preparing for that horrible day, but he was. He had prepared for many, many years ahead of time to be able to stand strong in the midst of the storm.”
Frank and Sue Zitzman, who live in Hebron, Ky., will be guest speakers Sunday at the Liberty Twp. church. During the 10 a.m. service, Russell will interview them for 30 minutes, then the congregation will be allowed to ask questions.
Russell hopes Sunday serves as “a day of restoration and healing for all.”
Frank Zitzman said his family’s goal is to “give glory and honor to the Lord in good times and bad.”
He said it’s a “natural reaction” for parents who lose a child to be angry or bitter at God, but those parents need “to examine where they are with the Lord.”
He understands this approach isn’t easy, especially if you’re grieving a loss of a loved one.
“But it is simple if you surrender to God,” he said. “You can’t ask from God what you don’t deserve. God is always fair. The God I serve never gives me something I can’t handle and use for Him.”
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