Do you ever run into those folks who brighten your day just for being around them? How about those who you know have experienced great loss and yet God’s joy just shines through them?
This morning I had the opportunity to have breakfast with a friend of mine who brightened my day with his strength of character and the joy that keeps him going. He is coming up on the anniversary of a tremendous loss – a loss that would be crippling for most anyone.
As I sat across from him and listened to what is going on in his life this week, I could see the change in physical appearance – slight but real. He endured the struggle of the flooded river a year ago but the storm that caused that initial struggle to survive left bigger struggles ahead. The loss of his family in that storm quickly minimized his initial struggle. He lives with that loss every single day.
But since that dreadful day, God has continued to use him as a testament to God’s faithfulness. The joy he possesses today is a result of a faith in God and the peace that comes in knowing his family shared that same faith.
As I sat with him this morning, my day was lifted to look into the eyes of one who has endured so much but yet with strength and hope. His joy, even in the midst loss, reminds me we serve a faithful God. He reminds me that we may not ever get over tremendous loss in our lives but through the strength of God we get through it. His life will never be the same but that does not mean it can’t be meaningful.
What an example of how its done!
ve that when I stand before God’s people each week, I will have nothing of value to say if I have not spent time with God the week before. So we started with that idea.
as focused on sermon preparation, I heard a loud bump on my window followed by another. I knew what had happened – a bird had flown into the glass. So I got up to inspect the area outside my window expecting to find a bird laying dazed on the roof. Instead, what I found was a bird sitting nonchalantly on my window sill as if it was a normal day in its little life. It seemed fine but it caused me to wonder why the bird had flown into my window – not once but twice.
Today I am in transit back to west Texas for a meeting. I rarely spend the money for a shoeshine but I had a little time in the Houston airport and my shoes looked terrible.
Today, our church is stepping out to show some appreciation for this group. We are moving out of our comfort zone and into the world. We will be blessing the teachers and staff at a local elementary school with lunch. There is no agenda. We don’t want anything out of our efforts. We simply want those on the front lines to know they are loved and appreciated and to offer to come along side them in any way we can bring help and encouragement.
