Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Heartbroken



Sisterhood of Widows S.O.W.  Psalm 126:5-6  Please share on your Facebook so that others can see my blogs and maybe help them through their grief.


Heartbroken!!

I need to tell myself to quit listening and watching the news.  It seems as if the world has gone crazy.  My heart has hurt so much for several different families in the last several days.  I live close to Indianapolis which is the home of the Indianapolis 500.  We are called the racing capital of the world, and I have to agree with that statement.  We love our racing here, Indy cars, Nascar, drag racing, and our local racers.  Over the weekend, Indy car lost a great driver and advocate for dyslexia.  His name is Justin Wilson and he was also a husband and a father of two young girls.  How my heart aches for his family and all of his friends.  Unfortunately we know what they are going through right now.

Then, I hear about a policeman down in Louisiana that was gunned down by some psycho.  The officer fought as long as he could for his life, but passed away from his injuries.  I read Monday morning that he leaves behind a wife and a son that is nine years old.  I sat back and reflected on the day we lost Kirk.  Emily was only nine when Kirk left us and she is our only child.  Even though our husbands passed under different circumstances, both situations were sudden and without warning.  I felt sick for this new widow and her only son and began to pray for them.  I have family in law enforcement so whenever I hear of this happening, I always think how it could have been someone in my family. 

And then today, the senseless killing of two young journalist who were just doing their job, a job they loved and devoted their young lives. They were taken out by a disgruntled coworker during a live broadcast.  The news reported that both of them were in relationships with other coworkers.  The gentleman was engaged to be married and the lady was in a serious relationship with another anchor.  It just breaks my heart to know how their loved ones are feeling right now.  Just to know others are experiencing such deep sorrow and grieving with every ounce of their being right now is heart breaking.

We know in this world we are going to experience sadness, grief, and sorrow.  At some point, we are all going to have to face these emotions.  The decision on how you handle these emotions is huge.  We decided from day one that we were going to give our pain and sorrow to Jesus.  As humans we know we cannot handle that much pain all at once.  We memorized and live by Proverbs 3:5 NIV, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  We understood that no one in this world could answer the big WHY question.  So we had to surrender that to Jesus.  You see, Jesus has experienced every emotion that we as humans have dealt with.  Jesus even tells us that we will have troubles in this lifetime.  In John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world."  Our Savior defeated the grave and through His grace, he extends peace to us even in the midst of our worst storms. 

The one thing that I am looking forward to in my Heavenly home is that there will not be any more tears or sorrow.  We will rejoice with Jesus and with our loved ones that have gone before us and have placed their faith in Jesus.  Revelations 21:4 assures us of this, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  That promise is amazing!!  It is something I am looking forward to when I go Home to my Savior Lord Jesus Christ!!

Lord, please be with the family and friends of the people that I wrote about tonight.  They are just starting their grief journey that so many of us are on already.  Lord I pray for them and for those that have started their journey. I also pray for those that have been on their journey for years.  I pray that they know you as their Personal Savior and that they lean on you for comfort, mercy, strength, and grace.  Lord thank you for loving us first before we were born.  I pray for those who do not know you as their Savior and I pray they open up their hearts and mind to you.  The well of Your mercy and grace is bottomless and is full of love, joy, and comfort.  In Your Precious Name I pray, AMEN!!

Friday, August 14, 2015

Fighting Fear!!



Sisterhood of Widows S.O.W.  Psalm 126:5-6  Please share on your Facebook so that others can see my blogs and maybe help them through their grief.


Fighting Fear!!


Fear can paralyze the strongest of men.  Fear can stop us in our tracks and keep us from living out the life that God wants us to enjoy.  We can have fear in several different areas of our lives that we once felt safe and comfortable.  When I became a widow, I feared having to raise my daughter by myself.  I feared having to make big financial decisions without Kirk sitting by my side going over all the pros and cons of our decision making.  I have begun to fear a life of being alone after Emily goes to college in a short five years.  Fear of spending nights alone when all my friends and family are out spending time together.  I can go on and on about all the fears we encounter in this season of widowhood. 

Fear can freeze you in time and not allow you to move on with your life.  It can rob you of a life that God wants you to live, the life you deserve to have.  It's so easy to wave your white flag and take on a cloak of defeat.  But sisters, this is not the life that Jesus desires for all of us.  It's easy to feel like life is over and there is nothing left.  But there is so much more, I am allowing myself to figure this out and it has taken me four years.  What I had to realize and what you need to realize is that Jesus is fighting for us and with us.  He wants us to conquer our fear and look to Him for strength and trust.  In Romans 8:31-32 NIV it tells us,

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

See, God is on our side.  With Him on our side, no one can be against us.  God has His children and He is fighting for us every step of the way.  He made that possible when He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to Earth to live a righteous and sinless life.  Jesus came to die for all of us, to ransom us from this sinful world.  John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

Do you know Jesus as your personal savior?  If not, I hope you will pray and think about making this most important decision for yourself.  It's the best decision and best gift you will EVER receive.  To know that the day that I'm called home I will be face to face with Jesus is so comforting. Just trusting that Jesus is patiently waiting for me and will greet me with arms wide open melts all fear away. 

Lord I pray that those that have not put their trust and faith in you will do so without hesitation.  Just having the peace and comfort that comes with having you on my side is priceless.  Lord I love you with all my heart and soul and I pray for all of us that need comfort and hope.  It doesn't happen overnight Lord, but it does come with love, trust, faith and patience.  When I start to feel fearful for the future or for events that happen in my life, I lean on you Lord to melt the fear away.  Thank you Lord for all that you have given me, but the biggest gift of all is your Son.  Lord I pray in your Precious Name. Amen