"Grief is the proof that love never fails.  Grief is not a reminder of love, it is proof.  The storm of grief is overwhelming so the question always returns to this, How will we hold onto hope, when all seems lost?  Maybe knowing that grief is the proof that love never fails gives some hope to hold onto."  (stolen from Marty Caldwell)

Oh, and aren't there so many situations of sorrow and loss that cause us to grieve?  We are surrounded by hard things that cause us to wonder, where is the love?  Even more, where is God's love?  We recently experienced a loss in our extended family, as Ivan's sister lost her baby in the 8th month of pregnancy.  A routine check-up, turned into a nightmare, when there was no heartbeat.  We had previously planned to be in the area for ministry purposes, to celebrate the support and partnership of the local church with YL.  It was a weekend of emotional ping-pong.  Sharing the excitement of what God is doing at a club to visiting adults one minute and the next sitting alongside his sister in the hospital.  And so it went, bouncing from one situation to the other.  Clashing of emotions.  

A few days later and friends of ours, welcomed a healthy baby boy into the world.  

I must choose hope.  I must choose to believe that God's love never fails.  That He is the only sure thing that I can hold on to.  

 "But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."  (Psalm 33:11)

Lord, help me to not resist that truth [that we are completely dependent on you for everything] but to derive the comfort and grateful joy that come from gladly accepting it.  Amen 

(taken from The Songs of Jesus, page 62)

March 2020 Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/be51988d892e/february2020-3960834