Carried Home

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15

Death comes like a thief in the night.

Often without warning.

Sometimes we have ample warning when holding our loved one, riddled with sickness.

But more often than not, life ends when no one is watching.

But God always is.

He sees our every breath we take.

He holds our days in His hands as He knows our past and future.

And when our days are done, He carries us to Himself, together forever with Him.

This comfort, for those trusting God for our salvation, remains when God comes for our loved ones.

God came for my husband’s brother today.

Unexpectedly. Sudden for the family and my brother-in-law.

Nobody was expecting this, especially him.

But he was ready. He always was.

Actually, there was a time when he wasn’t. He was lost. So very lost.

But through the faithful prayers of many, including his precious parents, God rescued him.

God not only rescued him, but brought him fully back to restored relationships.

Completely redeemed from his broken life.

As a result he was eager to share his deep love for Jesus with whomever he met.

From ignoring God’s beckoning to praying with strangers.

From living for himself to giving himself freely away to others.

God transformed his life, resulting in his compulsion to share God’s great love with family, friends, and strangers.

With anyone. With everyone.

His intentional words ministered life because his well overflowed with the love of God.

While not expecting his life to end today, he was ready to meet God.

His soul was prepared.

Are you? He would want you to ask yourself that very question.

And if you’re not, he would want to know why. What are you waiting for?

We never know when God will carry us home. We must be ready before it’s too late.

My brother-in-law knew what it was like to live without God.

That’s why he focused on sharing his redemptive life. Sharing God’s deep love with others.

He knew life with God is the only way to live.

Goodbye, sweet man. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Photos by Yannick Pulver, Priscilla Du Preez , & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Safe and Sound

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5

God, who created all things, is with you every step of the way.

Not only is He with you, but He is behind you, covering your past, taking away the pain.

He takes any pain of your past if you’ll let Him, because He wants you to live in the now.

But you have to give it to Him, purposing not to return to that pity party.

Decide instead to keep the sweet memories, letting God be in charge of any negativity associated with the past.

…in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past. (Ps 139:5)

He is also before you.

He prepares your future plans.

All safe and sound with His plans, if you trust Him completely in that.

Trusting God for your future means you are not anxious.

Not fearful of what if’s.

You rest, knowing God has it all under control.

You recognize He wants the very best for you and will be with you for all of it, easy or hard.

You wake up every day, thanking Him for guiding you into how His plans for this day will unfold.

You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way..(Ps 139:5)

He lays His hand upon you.

He covers you with His shelter and protection, giving you His perfect peace.

The blessing of His presence is enough to calm your anxious soul.

It is enough to cover the less than perfect past.

It is enough to keep you in His perfect peace knowing His future plans for you are perfect.

With your hand of love upon my life, you impart a blessing to me. (Ps 139:5)

Thank you, God for caring about me.

Thank you, God, for walking with me, covering my past, present, and future.

Increase my faith and trust, knowing that with You by my side, I am at peace.

For yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

And always.

Photos by Glenn Carstens-Peters, Oliver Fetter, henry perks, Johny Goerend, Allef Vinicius, & Sandis Helvigs on Unsplash