November 23
There are empty chairs around our family Thanksgiving table. We’ve had decades of medical emergencies and dealing with elderly parents. The sandwich generation: balancing the needs of children with aging relatives, of career cross-country moves, deaths of those near and dear, and thoughts of how they had blessed, and stressed, our lives. It is indeed difficult to have an attitude of gratitude when grieving; however, even those times are teachable moments. By walking through these experiences, I have been blessed to counsel others who face death in the face of eternal consequences.
In retrospect, each difficult circumstance produced faith. Just when it seemed strength was waning, difficulties were swelling to immense proportions, the prayers of others for us, and our personal reliance on God’s mercy and tenderness towards us, made molehills out of mountains, level plains out of valleys, and calm streams out of raging waters.
Today’s Scripture: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Prayer: Loving Lord, even though it seems I now write more sympathy cards than birthday cards, and though I grieve loss of parents, a brother, numerous friends, I know that I can commit them to You, and that You promise a wonderful reunion one day in Your eternal presence. Because of Jesus, I have hope. In Him. Amen.
November 23 Thanksliving Journal: for dealing with death.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
November 23 Items, pictures, sketches, photos of those who used to celebrate holidays with us, a legacy of memories, a place I’ll return when I need reminders of evidence of His love for me in every situation.
Scripture references for remaining in the Word when suffering loss.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7
“For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” (I Thessalonians 4:16-18)
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116: 15)
About the Author
