A Good Friend

So many of you have been praying for me since Mom went to be with Jesus almost a month ago. Thanks you so much. Your prayers have comforted me more than I know! And think about this…Mom’s been with Jesus for almost a full month…this has been the best month of her entire existence and every moment is better than the last!!!!

Where do you go when your grieving? Countless folks over the years have turned to the exact place I’ve been camping…in the Psalms! In the Psalms I’ve found a true, good, faithful, compassionate and ever present friend in Jesus. David words pour forth Christ’s Words (see Ps. 22 for an amazing example) and bring such comfort to my scattered and wondering soul. This morning before church I received such joy as I meditate on the fact that my Shepherd RESTORES MY SOUL (see Ps. 23). In the midst of me losing an unbelievable friend in Mom (one I’ve missed talking to more than you can imagine) I’ve found a deeper friendship with Jesus—through the Psalms.

I wonder if this is not the plan…bringing great loss in order to bring greater depth of healing and love through our trusted and faithful Friend—Jesus. Some months ago while preaching God gave me this inspiring understand from Job 1…here we learn from this suffering dad at the loss of all his children when he says… “God gives and God takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!” (see Job 1:21). Do you see it? God gives first and then He takes away…He never takes away from us without first giving to us! Like a wise parent who distracts a child who is playing with a dangerous object by giving a safe toy before “taking away” the dangerous one. God is so wise…He gives and then takes away. He gave me the Psalms and then He took away my Mom. He has given me so much more than I ever knew prior to the real loss of Mom.

A good friend is difficult to find…a friend who will never forsake you is found only in One. What’s He doing now to bring you into a deeper friendship? Where are you going to pursue it? Come join me and my Friend in the Psalms!