We attended a special Holiday Memorial Service at our church this evening, designed to comfort families who have lost loved ones through the year and who will be facing the holidays confronted with the sadness and emptiness that such loss brings. We wondered if we could do it, if we could sit and hear our Michael's name called out, without breaking down into tears. And we started not to go...but we did...and our daughter-in-law did, and our grandchildren did, and our other children did...and we all honored Michael with our presence and thanked God for the comfort that we received from those around us.
Was it difficult? Yes. But the songs, the prayers and, I think, most importantly, the hugs from those who pastor us and from others who are going through similar times of hurt and grief, made it a very good evening for all of us. We left knowing that we are cared for, by God, and by God through people. His love for us was truly felt.
I couldn't help but think, "You are always with us." Even when we feel separated, even when we feel disconnected, God is with us....always. Satan will try to tell us He is not....He is. Satan will try to tell us that God is through with us....He isn't. He is with us, always.
I need to hear this, and I thank God that He reminds me. I need to feel this, and I thank God that He puts arms around me, arms of fellow Christians who are moving at His prompting to let me know, He loves us.
Our valley is deep, and it seems a long journey. But I know He is walking with us. And God is letting me know that He is never leaving, and that this journey will bring growth and insight. I am praising Him in advance for what will come...maybe one of the lessons to be taught is that we are to always remember that He is with us, always.
Hanging on to Him, He carries us through.
Quoting David Livingstone one more time,
Was it difficult? Yes. But the songs, the prayers and, I think, most importantly, the hugs from those who pastor us and from others who are going through similar times of hurt and grief, made it a very good evening for all of us. We left knowing that we are cared for, by God, and by God through people. His love for us was truly felt.
I couldn't help but think, "You are always with us." Even when we feel separated, even when we feel disconnected, God is with us....always. Satan will try to tell us He is not....He is. Satan will try to tell us that God is through with us....He isn't. He is with us, always.
I need to hear this, and I thank God that He reminds me. I need to feel this, and I thank God that He puts arms around me, arms of fellow Christians who are moving at His prompting to let me know, He loves us.
Our valley is deep, and it seems a long journey. But I know He is walking with us. And God is letting me know that He is never leaving, and that this journey will bring growth and insight. I am praising Him in advance for what will come...maybe one of the lessons to be taught is that we are to always remember that He is with us, always.
Hanging on to Him, He carries us through.
Quoting David Livingstone one more time,
"For would you like me to tell you what supported me through all the years of exile among people whose language I could not understand, and whose attitude toward me was often hostile? It was this, 'Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.' On those words I staked everything, and they never failed."
1 comment:
God never leaves our side. This blog brings to light each morning God's love.
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