DARK PLACES

There has been heaviness around and in me these last couple of weeks.  There are people near me in dark places, sad happenings, difficult circumstances and loneliness.

I have seen death come in different ways recently.  Two young men we know have taken their own lives.  Another young man met death in a sudden accident. My sister-in-law’s mother struggled for weeks before she was released from this earthly life to be with Jesus for eternity.  Another friend’s life ended suddenly even after a favorable report from the doctor on his condition.

These happenings leave families grieving, hurting, and adjusting to daily life with a sudden void to fill.

Others know this void because a loved one is far away.  Sometimes this distance comes from one person choosing to separate themselves from their loved ones leaving the one left behind to wonder why, what happened, and how do we resolve this.

Sometimes distance and pain come as one chooses to be bitter or unforgiving of another. Void and loneliness is also brought on by distance through employment or military responsibilities.

Their hurt becomes my heaviness of heart as I hurt for them. Do you feel their pain? When my granddaughter was younger she would come to me with a scratch after a fall and would want me to touch it.  She would cry out, “Mammie feel the hurt!”

So I search for words of comfort and peace and love for these that are hurting today.  I feel the need to encourage them to look to God because He alone is our ever present help in time of trouble. He alone is our only hope.  Nothing and no one will be able to fill the void and bridge the distance – ONLY GOD!