Revelation 21:4
I just received a phone call from my daughter, Grace. She was in tears of heartfelt sympathy over the death of a close friend’s father. She was trying to make sense of it… trying to take in the immensity and impact on her friend’s life… “She’s only 21, mom.” How crushing it is to lose someone who is so dear. How do we cope? How can we make it through the process of grieving? It’s such a personal journey, and it can be so lonely. People don’t know how to help even though they really want to. A friend of mine has written a worship song whose lyric expresses a simple answer to the inconsolable pain.
“I know YOUR love is the only hope…
and I know I need YOU!”
September marks the loss of my own dear father 8 years ago. I still can’t believe he’s been gone so many years now. I think of him often and see him in the faces of my children (and even my own face) sometimes. Another friend of mine recently lost her father. We are attending a memorial service this week for a friend who has passed… a kind and authentic lady who we will miss. Experiencing grief of this nature has given me deep empathy for others who walk the same road.
I just wanted to mark the season with some words of acknowledgement and healing to those who are struggling with past and present losses of loved ones. Whether your pain is fresh or lingering, I want you to know that you’re literally not alone! God loves you and cares deeply for your hurts. From the Bible’s NIV Translation 1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because he cares for you.” The Contemporary English Version says “God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to Him.” I love how descriptive the Amplified Bible is with this verse. “Casting the whole of your care—all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all—on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” My friend’s song goes on to describe the tender manner in which God wants to engage with us.
“YOU take me in as YOUR OWN, and now I know I’m not alone…
YES! YOU LOVE ME!”
May we be blessed & renewed as we move into a new season!
AFFECTIONATELY, KIM
