In the Mourning

 Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Romans12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Proverbs 25:20

Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,

    or like vinegar poured on a wound,

    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

So many loved ones lost, over these past two years especially...Dear friends- younger, older, family, ohana...But maybe "lost" isn't the right word...they've gone home and we mourn, missing them for now. Grateful for the time we had with them and the lessons we learned from them, but also longing for more, hearts aching for moments missed right now. Wishing we could see their smile, feel their hug, hear their joke or their wisdom one more time, build one more project or share one more meal...even when we cherished every moment we had with them while they were on this earth.

These Bible verses, and many like them...it's a beautiful thing how God comforts us. He doesn't push us to be happy, although gratitude and thanksgiving are needed. He lets us bring every emotion, every fear, every hurt, every ache to Him. God holds us in our weeping and walks with us through all of it. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

When we cry out to God, in honesty and vulnerability, telling Him what we're really feeling, and asking Him to help our hearts, He's faithful and He comforts and He walks with us...It doesn't mean circumstances change, but we know He is holding us and we have the gift of eternal life that He alone has given us... and we can be confident that His mercy and grace are unending to those who believe in Jesus, whether this was something we witnessed on this side of Heaven or not.

If you haven't already, cry out to the God who is forgiving, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.

He is present and He loves us more than we could ever fathom.