I have been a Christian since I was 8. I knew He was always there for me. That lesson was really brought home in 2004 when our younger daughter died. I have seen families torn apart after losing a child. I did not know until years later that people were watching me to see my reaction. There is absolutely nothing worse than losing a child. Within 3 years, we lost my brother, husband, and my mom. I tell people if I make it through January, the rest of the year is lots better. My daughter, mom, dad, and a grandfather died during that month. God is very real just like that ole song says. I do not understand how people make it without Him.
The tragedies happened in January, I take it. I am sorry to hear about that. It can claw your guts out, so to speak.
My own mother died of sudden heart attack in a January. Grew up in a family in which belief ranged from none to nominal. My father eventually grew in faith through the stress, finally confessing salvation only weeks before he died eleven years later in the summer. Then two years later, I received the Lord in great tumult. Sometimes the old hell fire is really the only thing that can come home, though I do not suggest that in general for evangelistic openers. I had embraced a brutal spirit and God had to show Himself even keener than that to pull me away.