We quickly made our way to their home, and we tried to give as much comfort and encouragement as you can in a time like this. This is a fallen, fallen place in which we reside. The great, true joy of Christmas is balanced by the devastation of separation and death.
What comfort can we give in a time like this? The only real comfort is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. He knows the situation, He loves them all, He loved the one who died, He cares deeply for His children and offers to carry our burdens -- even the heaviest ones -- for us. So, we embrace them as He would, love them as He loves, bear this burden with them. He is Emmanuel even in this, guiding through the darkest night with His light and His hand.
(As always, you are free to use this graphic.)
There is so much I do not understand about this world. But, I am just simple enough to trust God's promise that He will never leave or forsake me and His promise that HE is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Whatever this world sends my way, I am thankful for what I have today, now. I choose to not live in the past (while being thankful for it) and not live in the future (while looking forward to eternity with the Lord and its reuniting with those I love). I am thankful for my family, for my friends -- even ones I have never met. I am thankful for home, for safety, for life, for love, for enough -- you know, the "this day our daily bread." I know that we are not even promised one more breath, so I am choosing to thank God for now.
