I was 10 years old when I was told that my "Daddy" had a terminal illness. His illness was MS. Now, to a 10 year old terminal meant death...and soon. So, I spent a good share of my life on a death watch. I remember every Christmas looking up at the starlight sky and thinking will Daddy be here next Christmas? I was blessed to have my wonderful, sweet Daddy for exactly 20 more years. He died 12 days past my 30th birthday. If I had the knowledge that I have now about the mercy of Jesus, I wouldn't have spent all of that time on a death watch. I would have known that even if my Daddy died, Jesus would care for me and comfort me. Why do trials come into our lives? Why does illness threaten the very lives of those we love? I have been told by one older than I, that if you are blessed with a long life, you will also be cursed with the pain of watching those you love die first and you will constantly feel the pain of grief. This statement came from a person who did not know the power of Jesus, nor his mercy, nor his grace.
When someone you love becomes ill it is natural to feel unbridled panic. What if, becomes all consuming. And, if it is not the first time that you have expierenced the pain of sincere all encompancing grief, it is fearful. The pain of grief is great. It is known that grief can actually break hearts. Does knowing Jesus change the way we react to the bad things that happen to us or to the people we love? The simple answer is, yes.
Jesus said in Matthew 28, "I am with with you always to the very end of the age." Our comfort comes in Jesus and his constant admonition that He is with us to the end. It doesn't matter when the "end" is. We who know the love of Christ have been taught, live today as though it was your last. For whatever happens...... then, it really doesn't matter. We are alive in Christ and always will be. Life is a constant struggle. Sometimes it feels that we never have time for even a short respite. But, this shouldn't come to us as a surprise. For Jesus speaks to us of great trials in the Bible. He speaks of pain so great that He alone sweat blood. Jesus understands our pain, our fears, our need for healing, and our need for refuge. Jesus said, "Be not afraid for I am with you."
Children are beloved by Jesus. He tells us this with, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kindom of Heaven belongs to them." Even when we are struggling with fear, saddness and the feeling of being overwhelmed we are given the promise that He knows of every sparrow that falls from the sky. We have also been given the promise that His love us far out weighs that of a simple sparrow. Christ words, "God is with us." Adalyne, God is with you. Wendy, Jason, Kaelyn and Maya, God is with you. With him, you will gain strength and courage. It is promised. Tears do not go unrecognised with Jesus. At our weakest moment, He encompasses us, warms us, and whispers, "Do not fear." What ever happens to us in this life we have been promised that we will be comforted. Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall know comfort." Just as the diciples of Christ declared, "He is alive, Jesus is alive!" It is the same with us, Adalyne is alive. This is our focus. Right now, Adalyne Erin is alive. She is living and breathing, alive. How greatly we have been blessed.
I love Kaelyn therefore, it would make no difference to me if she were bald. Great haircut Addy! Just don't do it again...to Maya! Kiss Maya. Hugs to Jason. And to you Wendy, as your mother, I pledge my alliegence to remain a prayer warrior in the holy name of Jesus for you and your family. I declare to you, Jesus is alive.
Pod Hockey
7 years ago
