LENS ON LIFE!

Paul David Tripp said it well. Prayer calls one to abandonment and submission. Abandonment of present day reality of self as the only "lens" perspective of life is too prevalent. Submission to Christ requires us to let go of "our" momentary agendas and to be committed to take up His view of eternal hope. 

God cares about our present life---with us, for us and in us.(New Morning Mercies, January 28)

What prepositions for life! But God....goes beyond. Lens that go beyond "the now" to see eternity. It's the "long view."

It's the view of life that opens a door beyond death. 

After four recent funerals, it's the "lens on life" in Christ, which brings hope! AMEN!

An "ESCAPE" Place

An "escape room." An "escape place." What is that? Where s that?

These days in Memphis there are several "escape rooms" where people actually "pay" to have heart-pounding fun solving puzzles, cracking codes and trying every possibility which might lead to a way out. A way to escape.

How does one escape life's hurts? How does one escape the "leaving one's head under the pillow mode" when life's realities seem too hard to face?

What if life hands you a reality of which there is no escape----the grief of losing a child, the fear of the terminal diagnosis, the infidelity of a spouse, an Alzheimer's diagnosis, the sudden death of loved ones? 

2016 has offered these scenarios in bulk this year for many folks whom I know. The realities which offer no escape---no undoing of the event.

So, then the question changes from "why" to "now what?" How does one acclimate to a new normal" which is filled with loss and grief? Life as one once knew it, with its hopes and aspirations, is gone.

How does one hope again? How does one escape the darkness of despair?

How does one say as Matt Redmon wrote, "When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say, Blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed be your name."

Grief is real. Grief hurts. 

The grieving process is necessary----tho there is no "right" answer to why or  no right way to grieve. Even the time of the process differs.

But God.....hears us in our grief, no matter how long one "stays" there. 

How does one unlock their seared and damaged heart to fill it with hope once again? 

In John 14:18, Jesus says He "will not leave us comfortless & He will come to us." Sometimes I think the Lord uses us to "go" and offer comfort. Not necessarily "words" but time and a listening ear. 

Maybe such a "caring" visit will offer a glimmer of hope to the grieving soul---even if it's just enough to get them to take the step to open the door. It can be a step toward sharing the experience and the pain with one who cares enough to "come" in His name.

Maybe just for a moment, one has a respite from the "pain" over a cup of tea shared on a comfy couch----maybe even allowing a brief smile to "escape" as two share time and hurt together.

AUGUST 20, 2016 Embracing Joy in the Midst of Sorrow

Grieving is hard but needful. Family, friends and the household of faith coming alongside helps the process. God's word also helps.

Saturday morning before hubby and I left to drive to Kentucky for the funeral of a dear friend's mother, the verse from my morning devotional was so apropos.

In the midst of the sorrow of losing her mom, Cheryl and her family were able to rejoice because their mom (grandmother and great grandmother) was with the Lord. As the family shared about her life as a WWII widow with 2 young girls, (Cheryl and Sylvia) I was so aware that her life of hardship personified the rest of the verse. She might have struggled as a single mom getting her college education but her children were rich in their handmade clothes, fun times and good, and often funny, memories which they shared. Her legacy of diligence and determination continued through a second marriage and a son to add to this BIG family mix. The pews were filled with family---all of whom, possessing a strong faith, were celebrating Mrs. Gresham's life well-lived.

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, 

yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6:10)

Loss brings grief. Grief can lead to mourning and sorrow. 

But God showed me once again-----

Sorrow and joy are not mutually exclusive. 

God's Word and the August 20th celebration of Nancy Jane Terry Gresham's life proved that!

In Memory of Terry

Jeopardy is about to come on---an appropriate time to post this blog, as Terry and I share an affinity for that game show.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. (Revelation 21:14)

The last time my friend Terry Parlow was coherent as I stood at his bedside, I cried.*
He cried too. But, as his face contorted in anguish, no tears came----so I shared mine, wiping them in his spiky hair.

Today was the memorial service for this godly man and longtime friend. Tomorrow I will post my remembrances for Aunt Mary and D.C. Julie to read.

*My last pic with Claudia---http://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2013/11/waiting-on-god.html

In-TEA-macy of Marriage

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. (Psalm 31:9, ESV)

Sometimes there seems to be no cuppa to serve, no words to say....in the darkest times of grief. Losing a spouse is such a time. Prayers. Comfort foods. Words of comfort. Nothing assuages the grief like being there for them.

They feasted on love; every mode of it---solemn and merry, romantic and realistic, sometimes as dramatic as a thunderstorm, sometimes comfortable and unemphatic as putting on your soft slippers. (C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed)

Melody and Ronnie had such a marriage....filled with love!