Funerals and such

The last week has been a tough one for many.  Although I'm not there at my church, Cedar Crest, I may as well be since my thoughts keep going there.  Losing Sheldon, Anja, Marian,...(and of course, Seth) makes us think,  "this is too much!"  How can we "keep going" when we are feeling heavily burdened for those who lost their loved ones?  Or we, personally, miss them?

A good friend of mine has children that serve in various countries doing missionary work.  She told me of various struggles they were facing and I asked her, "how can you handle the stress of it all."  She said she had to learn to give it over to God, not put all the burden on her shoulders.  She simply prays for them and leaves it at that.  I imagine if there is a specific thing the Holy Spirit lays on her heart, she'll do it, though.

Also, I've often struggled with feeling regret over past mistakes.  My mind likes to take me to all sorts of situations where I did wrong and then leaves me to linger there.  I asked another friend how she copes with that and she says it's not an issue for her.  I was stunned!  She explained that what happened in the past is in the past.  If she needs forgiveness for anything she'll ask, otherwise if she did the best she could under the circumstances, then she'll 'let it go.'  (Good advice Mary!)  A Bible verse backs it up, " forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:13,14).  With time, it gets easier following Mary's advice.  Even Lee, our minister, said if what's troubling you is something you can do something about, then do it/fix it.  Otherwise, if it's a case of unproductive worries and fears, then that is from Satan.

I guess I'm simply saying not to take on burdens too heavy for us- give those over to The Lord in prayer.  Totally over until we feel peace.  And those things we can do something about 'do.'  It's at this point that we need to "be silent so we can hear the whisper of God."  (Saw that saying at a friend's house- author unknown (maybe God?!).

Instead of feeling heavy-hearted for Louisa, we can listen to the Spirit's direction.  A meal, a flower, a card, a phone call, a ...anything to show love would qualify.  Each person is different in their grief.  I loved visitor's coming over to show they cared, but if they stayed over 10 minutes, it was too much.  One person stayed so long I eventually announced I had to leave (Wolf stayed with them) and ran upstairs to cry.  I could only go without crying for so long.  But, Louisa might love company staying longer.  It's best to announce you'll leave after a short time, if they insist you stay, then do.  Otherwise don't!  Try to remember the date he died, his birthdate, and their anniversary and send a card.  Until you lose a loved one, you can't begin to imagine the pain on those days!!  Even years later.

That's it for now....and remember, "let's be silent so we may hear the whisper of God."