ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

This piece of pastel art expresses the light at the end of our suffering. For those who are going through the grieving process, it doesn’t seem you’ll ever get better. Your memories are sustaining you. Your family and friends are checking in on you. Those you associate with you are giving you encouragement. Most of all, God has been through the entire process with you; covering you with His mighty wings; rebuilding the losses you’ve endured; guiding you through each day; making your own path to heaven possible.

Jacob is a good example of this. In the book of Genesis, we read how he physically wrestled with God. He had a life of struggle, but he usually wound up on top. The problem is that he was a con man and used untruths to get ahead. His time in the desert led to meeting God in the darkness of night, wrestling with Him, eventually surrendering but not without injury. In the process of grieving, we too are in a battle with God. It’s not easy to surrender, but a necessary part of the process. During Paul’s final year of living, we talked a lot about turning things over to God, and how our pride and sinful nature lead us to think we can control our destiny. The ability to let go, be still and know that He IS God and capable of anything, is that final test which will give us eternal peace

When we reach this stage, we’ve decided to stop feeling sorry for ourselves.  We determine to believe our circumstances are real and begin to live with them.  Not everyone will go through these steps of the grieving process, but one thing we must learn from any kind of loss is that we’re not alone in our struggle. The scars from grief are many. Eventually they will fade away. Our memories will keep our loved one alive until we join them in eternity.

GOD HAS THIS!

When bruised and injured we do fall, before our Father’s throne
And look upon the lamb once slain for all sins to atone,
Our pain is nothing next to His, our wounds are all but naught.
The blood He shed, His torturous death were all with insult fraught,

But still the Son of God went forth in dignity and strength,
He took our place and bore the cross until His dying breath,
Three days went by.   He shunned the grave and rose to life again.
He did this so I too could claim a life in heaven with Him.

Sweet Jesus you have walked the road that I deserved to go. You did this oh so willingly, You knew just what to do. So, when I’m feeling battered and pulled in many ways. Remind me of the walk you took and please accept my praise.