MY COMFORTER

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

During the past four years and ten months, my family has endured nine deaths of our loved ones. My dear sister, Gene was the last one to pass. She left us two months ago.

My first loss was my dear mother. I took care of her with some assistance. I was in shock for a long, long time after she died. When the other deaths occurred, some within just months, and some in a year or two, I began to feel God was trying to tell me something. But, what? I went on with my life, trying to keep busy with my writing, but I had long weeks without inspiration. Slowly, the depression lifted and I found I could go on. God is so good to me.

With the last two losses of a dear beloved uncle in Georgia and this loss of my older sister, suddenly the depression I felt was like walking into a dark pit—no light in sight. But, each day the darkness gets lighter until only a shadow hangs over my heart. It lifts a little every day. God has done that for me. I pray daily and lull myself to sleep praying to a loving, comforting Father, the only true father I have ever known. The darkness is lifting a little more.

Thank You, Father, for being with me even though I don't always feel Your presence. I know that You care about my feelings and You soothe my aching heart, giving me the comfort that Jesus promised. Amen.

© 2016 Evelyn B. Ryan

DIDN’T YOU SEE ME?

Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor.  (NIV) Romans 13:9f, 10a

Turning onto a street – CRASH! The impact of metal on metal was followed by the sound of shattering glass as my car hit another vehicle. Stunned, I could not believe what had happened. Getting out of my car to check on the other driver, I saw a man who witnessed the accident running to her car.

The elderly woman looked at me and asked, “Didn’t you see me?” I apologized, but it was obvious I had not seen her. She was badly shaken and covered with glass from her driver’s side window, but otherwise unhurt.

Climbing back into my car, I called the police. Praying for the Lord to forgive me, I asked the woman to forgive me, too. I admitted to the officer that the accident was my fault.

Moments before the accident, my thoughts and prayers were about what was going to be happening that day. Although I did not deliberately hit her car, my attention was distracted and not focused on my driving.

This accident was a major wake-up call for me from God. I felt God was telling to me to pay careful attention to the people around me. As He worked in my heart, it became clear to me that my busy schedule had distracted me from loving my neighbor. God loves and cares about people, and it is His desire that we love them, too. Part of loving our neighbor includes doing them no harm.

Father, please keep me ever mindful of my neighbors, and ways I can express Your love to them.

© 2016 Diane E. Hussey

AN ANGEL CAME

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14 (NIV)

Dear Niece, Marissa:

You never thought you'd ever see
an angel in your house.
But, one day when you least foresaw,
one slipped in, quiet as a mouse.

She was dressed in white, flowing robes
with big white wings, so lovely to see.
She told you, "Don't be afraid,"
so you sat still as you could be.

To Nana she said, "Close your eyes."
Then poof! She whisked her away.
She spirited her to heaven above
to live in an eternal day.

Oh, you miss your Nana so very much,
and you don't cry so often now.
You know she's in heaven with her own mom,
and you'll see them some day, some how.

Now, hug your mommy and kiss her "good night"
and tell her you love her too.
Say your prayers and tell Nana you miss her
for you know she always loved you.

In time, you'll forget that an angel came.
But, your mommy will remember forever
when an angel took your Nana "Home."
One day you will again be together.

Father, please bless this innocent little girl and her
family. They realize that true blessings come from You.
Bless those that read this poem, that, whatever age they are,
like a child, they may still believe in angels. Amen

© 2016 Evelyn B. Ryan

UNINTENDED IDOLS

Thus says the Lord GOD, Any man of the house of Israel who sets up idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will be brought to give him an answer in the matter in view of the multitude of his idols. Ezekiel 14:4 (NAS)

Blessed with a daughter and son after many years of marriage, my desire was to raise them in a loving, Christian home. It was after my son’s senior year of high school that a terrifying situation left me sobbing face down on the carpet praying desperately for his life. God spoke these words deep into my heart.

"Do you love him more than Me?”

I was stunned. When God asks a question He already knows the answer. There was no need to evade the stinging truth. He had laser-pointed my problem.

My son had become an idol. In fact, I had made idols of both my children. But, God in His immeasurable wisdom was dealing specifically with the matter I had laid before Him. 

Thinking I was only being the loving mother God called me to be, I had gradually placed my son on God’s throne. I got up and for two days wrestled with my heart.  Finally, able to say and honestly mean it with my whole being, “No God, I love You more. No matter what. I love You more.” 

Overwhelming peace poured over me. Several years have passed; the struggles continue in many areas of my life. But, God has drawn me close and shown me more of the depths of His great love. He remains on the throne of my heart helping me through. 

Father, I will continually praise You in gratefulness for Your guiding hand along this journey toward Heaven. Amen.

 

© 2016 Bonnie Mae Evans