I had a feeling in my spirit that maybe a reader needed this encouragement today. Remember, He is close to the brokenhearted. Below is the 15 minute message that I take to those tomorrow that lost loved ones in 2007.
"Message of Remembrance":
Today, this afternoon… we come together as a time of Reflection and Remembrance of our loved ones that we lost in 2007. For some of us we lost them without any warning signs or notice. For some, it may have been expected due to an illness and suffering. And for some of us…… we are still trying to figure it all out. But regardless of how our loved one left this life…. It is not easy is it?!
We walk through our homes with traces and remnants of artifacts that still remind us of that special someone that is no longer with us. Some of us may have even left the room still the same… untouched and un-visited. Maybe there are pictures that we find it hard to look at because pain has a funny way of disrupting reality to inevitably remind us that they are no longer with us.
Today I would like to ask you to put that pain on hold. I want to let you know that it is ok to cry! It is ok to let out the frustration and emotions that you may have bottled up! And it is ok to vent because maybe you still do not understand why this took place! I want you to know right now…. right in the midst of your questions… right in the middle of all the scattered pieces, that The Lord is waiting for you! He wants to take your pain… He wants to heal your wounds… and He wants to renew your strength.
In Psalm 34:18 it says:
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 147:3 says:
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Today my pray is that you will allow the Lord to do just that… that you will allow Him to heal your wounds in your heart and in your spirit. You know, we may have lost loved ones, but we are still here! There is a purpose that we still need to fulfill! Those loved ones may be counting on us to carry on the Legacy that they started. Maybe even the Legacy that they never started. If you listen closely…. If you just shut your eyes long enough…. We can see and hear them as they are cheering us on to live life to its fullest! To chase God-Ordained dreams! To live as if tomorrow is not promised! To leave the pieces alone and stop trying to make them fit. Maybe…. Just maybe…. our greatest days are just behind our greatest hurt! Give it to the Lord today.
Lastly, as we look back on this day of Remembrance; let us never forget that they are counting on us. More than anything… the Lord is waiting and counting on us. We still have our greatest days before us. Days of Opportunity! Days of giving Love and being Loved! And most of all, the memories that we still have of are loved ones that have gone on before us. Today, there is a way that we can move past the hurt, pain, and grief. We just need to give it to the Lord. He is waiting to take it, if you are willing to let go……