When faced with an unexpected tragedy:

What do you do?

The unforeseen or unknown can incapacitate or paralyze -- rendering you hopeless. Many of your close family and friends don’t know what to do or say to help you. You may find yourself thinking, “This is it,” “My life is over,” “How can I go on?” “Everything I’ve ever stood for, worked for, invested in, is gone.” There are a host of life-altering tragedies that shake us to the core and leave us drowning in the sea of despair, disillusionment, and devastation.

We know how you feel! The Be Still Foundation was birthed as a direct result of several unexpected tragedies befalling the Maher family. Andrea Maher, Executive Director of Be Still, tragically lost her oldest son John at the age of 28; he left behind a 4-month-old daughter. Three years later, and just surfacing from the fog of grief, her healthy and active mother suffered an unexpected heart attack and following a routine procedure was rendered brain dead. She died a month later.

And then the unthinkable…. Just eight weeks after burying her mother, Andrea’s youngest son, Matt, a college graduate and professional soccer player, made the fatal decision to drink and drive and he struck the vehicle of 55-year-old Hort Kap, a father of six children. Mr. Kap was pronounced dead at the scene. Matt was sentenced to prison for 5 years and 5 months.

It was during the paralyzing “wait” period of this trauma that Andrea’s son, Matt, delved deeper into his faith and reliance on God. The verse that spoke to his heart and calmed his soul was Psalm 46:10 “Be Still and know that I am God.” This scripture became the mantra for the entire Maher household as they tried to make sense of their tragic circumstances.

During these years, Andrea ‘s long -standing faith in Christ would be tested, but she relied on her strong Christian foundation of who God is, and regardless of what was shattered before her, she held onto the fact that He is at work in the lives of His people---for their good.