Encouragement

(June 15th, 2010)

Encouragement.

It's amazing when this comes so much more deeply in times of darkness and strife. Often times, the best moments of ministry come through the thick cloud of haze that surrounds you in the midst of tragedy. As I sit on this airplane, wondering how it's possible to feel "ready" to face my now widowed sister, I still praise and worship God because He's never not Good. Life is in the blood, and it was His that symbolizes the strength to continue on.

He is there to guide us into a place that we never thought we'd come to. A place from where we look back and know that had it not been for His everlasting presence we would be full of sorrow and dismay. Yet, as His Word reminds us again, and again, and again ..It is by fire that we are refined, and perfected. The Testing of our faith produces perseverance. And we rejoice in our sufferings because they produce in us perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. (Romans 5:4) This is what we're left with, what we cling to. The hope of the salvation of our God. The love that He graciously bestowed upon us in a way unfailing.

So Lord, now I pray for the strength to stand and rise along side my sister. Knowing that your Word brings healing and restoration to the brokenhearted.

You spoke:

"Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted."

Your peace will rest where there is none. And only you could be the perfect Father for the baby on the way.