Some Things Remembered

I have been struggling emotionally the last few days and I guess I needed to just air it out here in the blogosphere. A friend and member of our congregation has just passed away and while I know that she is certainly in heaven as I write, it has caused a very profound sadness to rise from the depths of my heart. A lot of emotions and memories have surfaced from the passing of my parents and quite frankly, it has become very hard to deal with. It is during times like these that I must force myself to focus my heart upon the good things I can remember from my relationships with these dear departed ones, for there are many. So, I thank God for His grace and willingness to allow me to live, to love and to be loved. I thank Him for holding me when I am weak and for giving me a hope that endures beyond the fleeting pleasures and pains of this life. I thank You Father for the privilege of having great parents, good friends and the comforting presence of Your Holy Spirit to share my journey through this world. I am reminded again of the words of our Savior to Paul the Apostle as he sought to gain an understanding of a reoccurring trial in his life that he called his thorn in the flesh. Jesus said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Then the Apostle Paul makes an astounding statement saying, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." I am not where Paul was, but I want to be. I so need the grace of Christ to be my strength for in moments like these I am truly weak.