My husband Blair had just died suddenly on a Friday evening. The following week, many people dropped by with meals and words of comfort. I’ll never forget when Dawna and Marian stopped by with comfort food–meat loaf and potatoes with cheesecake for dessert.
When someone is going through grief, sometimes people are afraid to approach the grieving person. But I can tell you that after I’ve lost two husbands in death; one after a six month illness, the other very suddenly, I can tell you, I welcomed friends and their presence. They didn’t need to have words of wisdom. It was their presence that comforted me.
What did I remember about Dawna and Marian’s visit besides the delicious comfort food they brought? Dawna’s words. She said, “God isn’t finished with you yet. Hang in there. He’s there.” That’s it. I didn’t understand it, nor did I need to. But looking back, Dawna’s words were fulfilled. After that terrible loss, I stumbled through my grief, I found I enjoyed writing. Since that time, fifteen years later, I’ve written five books. Dawna was right. God wasn’t finished with me yet!
This morning as I read a devotional from Anne Graham Lotz where she pointed to passages about God’s mercy in the Bible. I was wowed by them and I’d like to share them with you.
In all their distress he too was distressed,
and the angel of his presence saved them (Isaiah 63:9 NIV).I have heard all about you, Lord.
I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need,
help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger,
remember your mercy (Habakkuk 3:2 NLT).
It was passages like those above that comforted me when I was alone. The first time I went through grief. And then the second time, too. “In all their distress he too was distressed.” And “I am filled with awe by your amazing works…your mercy.”
Are you going through grief today? Maybe you aren’t grieving the death of a spouse like I was. It might be worse. A ruptured relationship with a loved one–a spouse–a child–a best friend–a workplace situation you can barely tolerate. Perhaps you are ill and you may not get better. Or, as it was with my husband Bill where I had to stand by and hope the doctors could help him for there was nothing I could do.
If you are experiencing something such as distress, or great need–as the passages above address, review those words above–or look them up in your own Bible.
Write them down. Remember, when you are distressed, he is distressed. Remember in time of deep need, he is merciful.
May these words give you comfort today.
Get these Blog posts emailed directly to you.
Enjoy this song about mercy with Gordon Mote:
Thank you, Shirley🙏. This is such a beautiful reminder of God’s mercy and grace. The song was so sweet and heartwarming and you
have such a lovely way of saying things that affect us all in many different ways.
I very much enjoy reading what you write.😊
In Christ,
Diane
Thank you so much Diane!
Just what I need today. I just got home from canvassing, starting and stopping my car through the precinct and then I hear a creeking sound as I turn my steering wheel. Uh oh. Now I am afraid to drive. The dealership can’t see me until Tuesday and I am waiting for a mechanic to call me in the meantime to advise whether it is a good idea to drive. Being single makes it so much harder. I read the verse in Isaiah and if brings me comfort in knowing God feels with me. Thanks for your devotional. I needed to hear that. As Charlie Kirk would say, “This too shall pass.”
Yes, it isn’t easy being single. I’m glad what I wrote helped you. And yes, this too shall pass!