2Co
12:9 And he said unto Me, My grace
is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
GRIEVING,
WITH GOD
One of the hardest things
to accept is that life as we know it does not go on. Relationships are often
difficult to establish and maintain. And on rare, wonderful occasions, some just
fall into place so easily and run so smoothly from both ends.
Losing one we're close to,
feels unfair and so sad. Those we just fell in love with from the start, that
were there for us whatever our circumstances, whatever our pain, no matter how
we lost our humor, those we could wrap our arms around and receive comfort from,
we find it impossible to release them to death.
Once we relax in knowing
they are there, will never reject us, will always return our love and affection,
how can we plan a future without them?
Amazingly enough, long
before we were conceived, long before we participated in life, God had a
plan........a perfect plan.
He foresaw the need for
this life to have a beginning as well as an end. He created and thoroughly
understood the complexities of relating to others. He gave us the ability to
love and draw close. He knew the path our lives would take and how deeply we
would feel pain. He left nothing out.
He built within us the
abilities to grieve without dying, to let go without forgetting, to cope without
quitting, to continue to love those who have gone on, yet grow to love others
more strongly and even to add new love to our hearts.
We are among those He just
fell in love with from the start, He is there for us no matter what our
circumstances, what our pain, no matter how we've lost our humor, He wants to
wrap us in His arms and receive comfort from Him.
We should not walk the
same roads over again. He devised that when our eyes have clouded with tears we
should never view things the same way again. We could grow bitter from sadness,
or we can grow and learn compassion. We should never behave as though nothing
ever happened. We should fondly remember that knowing, then missing someone has
changed us, that we were blessed with the company of angels while they were
here.
This amazingly perfect
plan that God has, of which He mapped out every possible outcome, leads us
always back into His very capable, loving arms.
He leads us to know that
after losing our loved one, when we return to life more lonely, He steps up
closer to us and not only understands our loneliness, but helps us hold our head
up.
THE EMPTY CHAIR
by: Author Unknown,
A man's daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside his bed. The priest assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me," he said.
"No, who are you?" "I'm the new associate at your local church," the pastor replied. "When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up." "Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?" Puzzled, the pastor shut the door.
"I've never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head." "I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day about four years ago my best friend said to me, 'Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here's what I suggest. Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I'll be with you always.' Then just speak to him and listen in the same way you're doing with me right now." "So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."
The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, and returned to the church.
Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her daddy had died that afternoon. "Did he seem to die in peace?" he asked. "Yes, when I left the house around two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange, In fact, beyond strange--kinda weird. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside the bed."
Letter
From Heaven
To my dearest family, some things I'd
like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from
heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness;
Here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with
you every morning, noon and night.
That
day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through.
God picked me up and
hugged me and He said, "I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again,
you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here
later on.
I need
you here badly, you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to
help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me
to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And
when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are
closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.
Because you are
only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do
not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no
flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God
has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one
thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now,
than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills
to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too;
That as you give unto
the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in
sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in
vain."
And now
I am contented....that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way
I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low;
Just
lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the
street and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a
step behind.
And when it's time for you to go....from that body to be free.
Remember you're
not going.....you're coming here to me.
Contributors
to this newsletter
THE
HOLY SPIRIT
Carla
J. Wilson
And
all of your prayers
They are truly an inspiration to others.
Be Blessed,
Shearon