As I write this my husbands biological grandmother´s funeral is comming up. She had lived a long and as I see it fruitful life. Yes it had its ups and downs, but she had lived a full life. A loving and caring woman is what comes to mind. She was not very tall, but her heart was huge and so was her love. If there are two things I will always keep with me is her way of feeding her loved ones. There was always food and or snacks in her home. If you did not waddle out afterwards, you had not eaten enough. Sewing was anohter thing. She had been a seamstress and she had taught the art of sewing to future seamstress teachers as well. I learned a lot from her during the times we spent together, even if I do not speak spanish or her swedish was not the best. We managed with some help from my husband, pointing and signs. I had a great time with her and she has a special place in my heart.
No I am not going to talk about heaven, but how life must go on for us that are still here. As christians we have a comfort in knowing that we will meet our loved ones again. This is temporary and next time we meet will be for ever. Granted that our loved one is a christian that is.
But it is not easy even if we know this in our hearts. It feels like it is forever. We would love for this person to still be around for just a few more years. I have myself lost my grandparents many years ago. I was heart broken both times, but I can say that as a christian I found comfort in scriptures that I did not have before. (I used to be a seeker, believing in something bigger than myself.)
John 16:22, “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.“
Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Psalm 147:3, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Yes I have found comfort in these words. In my time of grief I have found a friendship so deep and I love so sweet that I cannot explain it. I can only say that God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
I know that there are times when things are not so easy and things seems so dark. It feels like God is not around at all. That all your prayers have been rejected and thrown into a fire. All these verses I just listed feels like a slap in the face. I am not trying to make your feelings small and un real. But I do not sit on all the answers. Only God does, even if he seems far away. (See earlier blog entry.) I hope and pray that one day even you might find comfort in the bible. But remember that it will take time and that God is waiting for you. He is there with you every step of the way, even if you do not see or feel it. He has promised us that. So hold on to that promise with all you got.
Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Deuteronomy 31:8, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This was a tad dark, but I hope that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just remember to live your life and grow in your relationship with God.
God bless!
LB
by Lady Birgitha