We buried my precious Elaine yesterday. It was a hard day, concluding a long and difficult time of trying to address her physical needs and representing new beginnings for both of us.
The memorial service was precisely what I had asked God for. It glorified Him and advanced the Gospel as it honored Elaine for her life through which He touched many. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=0URhy0FEPB4. The service itself starts at 16-minutes.)
I slept long and deeply but awoke with a strong sense of a need for direction. I knew I had many decisions to make about how I would approach the future, and that multiple voices would try to counsel me and I would have to choose. Elaine’s pleading words “Help me, help me, help me” in her times of pain early on, now represented MY plea to God.
My Bible opened to Joel 3:16-17a, including “But the Lord is a refuge for His people, and a stronghold to the sons of Israel, then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” nasb Oh wow!
Next, I went to Sarah Young’s JESUS CALLING, and read: “Relax in My everlasting arms. Your weakness is an opportunity to grow strong in awareness of My Almighty Presence. When your energy fails you, do not look inward and lament the lack you find there. Look to Me and My sufficiency; rejoice in My radiant riches that are abundantly available to help you.
Go gently through this day, leaning on Me and enjoying My Presence. Thank Me for your neediness, which is building trust-bonds between us. If you look back on your journey thus far, you can see that days of extreme weakness have been some of your most precious times. Memories of these days are richly interwoven with golden strands of My intimate Presence.” Incredible – thank you Jesus!
I am weak but He is strong and I “will” to embrace the Day, tears and all.
And then I went to Oswald Chamber’s MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, but that’s Part II.
Ken
CLICK HERE for a printable pdf.
Yesterday was a great day Ken and I was honored to be part of it. You remain in my prayers. Hope to see you soon. The Lodestar and Mountin Inn await your visit😊
Steve, you were such an important part in how things came together there. Thank you. And yes, I want to come back to The Lodestar and Mountain Inn. Thanks for the invitation – and for your continued partnership in the journey.
Oh Ken. What beautiful words. What a beautiful service. Such a miracle that we could be there with technology today. Receive our love. Bernie and Kathy
Thank you Bernie. It took a bunch of people, each bringing their heart, their voice and/or their skills, to make it happen. Truly, God was with us and I praise Him!