So Hard to Say Goodbye

I am deeply saddened by the passing of a young man who left this earth way too  soon.  A life so precious that we will not let it fade.   I cannot begin to imagine the pain that loved ones are going through right now.  I don’t know why some leave this earth way too soon.  In my heart I know that God has a plan and I try to make it make sense…but to my finite mind, it does not .  With grief this fresh,  it is difficult to understand  and It does not initially make it any easier for the loved ones left behind.  It makes no sense, it is all a blur of tears, shock, pain and deep grief.

I think if we are honest, we could all recall saying  at some point,  “Why did God let this happen?”  “Where is his miracle?”   “Where is God?”  According to His Word…God is right here in the middle of it all.  Holding on and cradling our loved ones and waiting for us to allow Him to comfort us.

It is not an easy road to travel.  Family & friends are needed now more than ever…needed to stand together and offer love and support in these sad times.

May I respectfully offer a ray of Hope…some Good News?  You may not want to hear it right now and that is okay…so when you are ready…here it is— If we believe that Jesus is God’s Son and died and rose again to be Our Savior…we can be reassured that we WILL SEE our loved ones again.  When it is God’s Time, Jesus is coming back for us.  He will personally meet us and carry us home.  We have a Heavenly Home waiting.  A home free of pain , tears and sadness.

JESUS says it best, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in Me.  There are many rooms in My Father’s house, I would not tell you this if it were not true.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am.”  John 14:1-3 (NCV)

 

Advertisement

Becoming Best Friends with GOD

My Husband Michael is my Earthly Best Friend

WELCOME to DAY ELEVEN!  This has been a slower journey for me than I thought.  I keep getting distracted by life.  I SO want to be closer to GOD, but things are getting in my way…not bad things, just little distractions that eat up my time.  Does that ever happen to you??

Today I am learning about friendship.  Friendship with Our Creator.  GOD HIMSELF wants to be my BEST FRIEND.  Do you have a best friend?  Someone who knows all about you, sees you on your “not so good” days and LOVES YOU ANYWAY!  That is how GOD is.  He created each of us.  He alone knows our struggles, heartaches, triumphs, fears…He looks deep within our hearts…He knows it ALL.  Good and bad, yet LOVES US ANYWAY!

It is difficult to imagine how we (as a finite, sinful human) can have a best friendship with an ever-present, Holy, Perfect, All-Powerful, Majestic GOD that we cannot see or touch.

How can we achieve this? ?  Rick Warren tells us 2 ways.

THROUGH CONSTANT CONVERSATION:  God wants to be included in EVERY PART of our lives.  EVERY activity, EVERY conversation, EVERY problem and EVERY thought.  Pray without ceasing means to be continuously conversing with GOD.  All throughout the day, be reminded that HE IS THERE, LISTENING, WAITING TO BE INCLUDED.

I always thought I had to stop everything and spend alone time with GOD.  When I failed (which is often) I would be disappointed in myself and then not try again for a while.  The great news is that we can speak to GOD every day at every moment.  Not just tossing up a “Dear God, help me with the mess I made of my life” but telling HIM about what is going on throughout the day.

THROUGH CONTINUAL MEDITATION: To think about HIS WORD throughout the day.  Place Bible verses around your home, office, car, etc.  It doesn’t have to be long, drawn out times of memorizing.  Read a Bible verse and think on it throughout the day.  GOD will reveal HIS PLAN for our lives if we FOCUS ON HIM.

DAY ELEVEN: THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSE  (Taken directly from the “The Purpose Driven Life” by Pastor Rick Warren, page 91)

“TODAY’S FOCUS:  Becoming Best Friends with GOD

POINT TO PONDER:  GOD Wants to be My Best Friend

BIBLE VERSE:  ”Friendship with GOD is reserved for those who reverence HIM” Psalm 25:14a (LB)

QUESTION TO PONDER:  What can I do to remind myself to think about GOD and talk to HIM more often throughout the day?

Here are the treasures I found from DAY ELEVEN:

Every  relationship that we want to grow needs nurturing, like in my marriage, my husband is my best friend…but we got to this place because of  TIME INVESTED.  I need to look at my relationship with GOD as TOP PRIORITY.

Everything we do can be spending time with Our Lord…we just need to invite HIM.  Be aware of HIM

These are a few index cards I have made to place in different areas to help remind me to think about HIM often throughout my day.

You LOVE me!

I receive your Grace.

I’m depending on You.

I can do all things with Your help.

I fear not, for You are with me.

Reference: ”The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, 2002 Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, pages 85-91
Follow me at http://www.myfatherswellness.wordpress.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/myfatherswellness
website http://www.MyFathersWellness.com
email me at myfatherswellness@gmail.com