His Heart Went Out to Her

I scroll through my FB timeline. I see a post that stops me in my tracks. It features a photo of a beautiful, toddler boy. His eyes of an angel draw me in. So does his name. Bryson. The same name as my youngest grandson. I read further. My heart aches. He has been diagnosed with a rare cancer. His life expectancy is no more than 2-1/2 years. Per the medical team. I take time with this one. I look up scriptures which promise God's faithfulness and His miracle-working power. I share them with the family.

I really do want to be an imitator of Christ. He certainly talked the talk AND walked the walk to show us how to live. Take this one as an example: "As He approached the town gate, a dead man was being carried out — the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord SAW HER, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’” (Luke 7:11-14). HE SAW HER. He didn't just see her. He didn't just give her a "comment" or a "pat on the back" or "I hope you'll get better." He went over to the funeral procession and said "Get up" to the boy and he came back to life. Jesus was a do-something-about-it-kind-of-Savior.

The day before I see this "Bryson" photo, I receive a call from my daughter who is suffering from an extreme migraine headache. One that makes her retreat to her bed in a dark room. Now, please understand this is a powerful woman who just doesn't yield to pain -- not even with natural childbirth two times. I know this calls for a warrior mama's intercessory prayer. I go to my "war room" and am in full-on warfare prayer mode. I'm pleased to say that while we pray, my daughter's pain decreases and eventually goes away! Thanks be to God!

What an intenseness I have for praying for MY child. In that "Jesus" story above, it says "His heart went out to her". His heart joined hers. He felt her grief. He met her emotions with kindness, gentleness and mercy. He went to work to show His power and healing. I desire a heart like His.

What part of this blog speaks to you the most today? Bryson? The death of a child? A grieving widow? Or, the heart of Jesus? Put it altogether, God is there -- right in the middle of our lives. He shows up because His heart goes out to those who need a miracle. He shows up for me today. I want to be more like Him. But, I know there are many who need a miracle today. I can't help but think that I am writing this blog to remind YOU that He is the ONE whose heart goes out to you. Jesus can and will work a miracle in your situation. Why? Because He loves you and His heart goes out to you. You may feel that you are going to drown in your own tears, but hear the voice of our Savior. He is whispering to your heart, “Don’t cry.”

Whatever the circumstances of your life, hear this widow tell you: Jesus has a heart for you and He is ready to perform a miracle in your life today. Dry your tears, hold your head up and trust in the Miracle Maker. For all of us, may our hearts go out to others -- just like Jesus.

I Missed Widow’s Day

It was National Widow’s Day on May 3rd and I missed it. But, hold on, International Widow’s Day is on June 23rd. I was first amused when I heard about those days, but I found out some great things that were started to honor and care for widows.

I know this. God keeps a watchful eye on widows(ers). He is concerned for them and the fatherless. He protects them for He is “a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows in his holy habitation." (Psalm 68:5). The Son of God is like Him. He cared for His widowed mother (John 19:25). and condemned those who took advantage of widows (Matt 23:24).

Some folks don’t understand how I chose to move forward with my life and out of the survival mode into the thriving mode so quickly. I took on the desire to give empowerment to a word that most everyone doesn't want to think about. Just google "widow" and you'll see dark, evil and spider images. Ugg! But I changed the meaning purposely to show strength, love of life, and fullness of spirit despite tremendous odds. No matter the age of losing our loved ones on this side of heaven, we could choose a long, dismal and painful recovery or we could choose to be full of love, life, and light.

My blog, today, was inspired by facilitator training I received on Monday in the nondenominational Faith and Grief Ministry in the Dallas area. My church is one of the gathering places. I am pleased to help someone go through their grief process and help them to feel safe to express their grief and encourage and offer them comfort, hope, and faith. I was never one of those who felt I needed or wanted a group like this. I thought it was only for widows(ers), and thought it would be a “meet and greet” for lonely people to find a replacement for their loved one. Did I ever get it wrong! It is a beautiful ministry for a parent, a child, sibling, widows(ers), or anyone who is working their way through grief in the loss of their loved one.

Grief comes in all shapes and sizes, and oftentimes, people question God and His goodness for the first time in their lives. A group like this helps people realize they are not alone when they hear others share their own stories of grief and faith and then have the opportunity to engage in honest conversation and feel supported, welcomed, understood and loved. They feel assurance of God's love and care for them.

For many, grief is unbearable at times and I want to give others the "living" perspective God gave me. My perspective is one of living our best life, being able to appreciate that we’re still here on this side of heaven until we complete our "God" assignment. While I was never “a grieving widow”, there were many times, and still are when tears come to my eyes when I hear a favorite song of ours or a story is told about him or I smell his favorite cologne as I pass the Abercrombie store, or I miss him at family gatherings. I know it is the sweet remembrances of the love we shared. I don’t stay in those tears for very long because I know I still have life and living to do, and I determine to enjoy it to the fullest. I want that for others, too!

I've come to realize widows and widowers are perhaps some of the most beautiful people on earth. They are often young, vibrant and full of life while others are seasoned with many years of love and wisdom and are quite willing, like me, to share the abundant life and love that Christ gives us. They know deep love and deep loss, and those of us who determine to live life with gusto, realize we survive and can thrive through tremendous and unthinkable circumstances. I pray if it’s you I’m talking to or to someone you know, be assured that God sees you and wants you to know that life is worth living. Let’s embrace our stories and become faith, hope, and life-givers to others. For information about this ministry, go to: http://www.faithandgrief.org/.