"Comfort ye my people," says the Lord...

The focus of a pastor’s sermon Sunday and this week’s devotionals was dealing with losing loved ones. I thought maybe it was because of Memorial Day, making it a fitting orientation to guide our meditation as we remember and honor those who have fought for our freedom and other loved ones who have gone on to the next season of their lives. Today’s devotional again, addressed finding comfort during times of grief. What is God really trying to remind me of?

I remember when I got those calls, as clearly as if it were yesterday. You know, the ones we always knew will come one day, or at a midnight hour, but dreaded. As a child I just did not think I could live another day if my parents ever died. Well they died, and I am still here. I never gave any thought to losing my sister and brother less than two years apart, but I did and guess what… I am still here. What agonizing, bleeding pain! “I lay down to sleep; I woke again, because the Lord sustained me.” (Matthew 5:4) I found I could and would live after all. Today I received word of the death of a close family friend and I’m still here. Countless others have lost family members and friends, and they and you too, are also still here. Why?

I’ll tell you what I believe. When God allows us to be “still here” it’s because He has a definite purpose and plan for us. It is definitely not because we are any more special than the one He called home. Were it not for the comfort that only God can give, I would never have survived my painful losses. But survive I did and still am. I am daily reminded of why I am still here. God comforted me through the love and caring of friends and family, not so much by what they said, but by their just being the instruments through which I kept being reminded that nothing would ever separate me from the love of God.

God is so clever. He gives us these little “snapshots” or “previews coming attractions,” sometimes called “valleys.” He allows each of us to walk through various experiences (“valleys”) as preparation for something ahead, with His “rod and staff” comforting us. You might call it a “dress rehearsal” to prepare us to step up to the plate when we are needed. Paul puts it this way in addressing the churches at Corinth to help them deal with suffering. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 3-4

So, why am I still here? It’s my turn to share the love. Tomorrow I have to go home and comfort a friend whose heart is hurting from the loss of her brother, another reminder of why I am still here. If somehow, I can only help her and the rest of her family know that God’s grace is sufficient and that His power is made perfect in their weakness, (2 Corinthians 12:9), then I will know even more so why I’m still here.

Remember the Anthony Mills family and all bereaved families at this time, especially disaster victims and always know that I love you. “Comfort ye my people” says the Lord our God.  Arlene