The last time I sat and worked in the devotional journal I purchased at the end of last year, “100 Days of Bible Promises, ” was back on February 15. So about three months ago. My desire to read and write in it just hasn’t been here. I know if I’d forced myself to do it, while it would be done at this point, I’m not sure how honest my responses would’ve been. However, I know today’s entry comes from my heart and lead me to write more than could fit on the small space provided for today’s entry.
The title of today’s entry was “Be Still.” Here’s what it says (I’ve changed the words to make it more personal for myself):
What? How can [I] be still when there are so many things grabbing [my] attention?! There are always deadlines to meet and commitments to fulfill. But that’s exactly why God wants [me] not only to be still, but also to remember that He is God. Otherwise all other things and activities might become [my] god without [me] even realizing it.
Won’t [I] stop, meditate, and reflect on His goodness now? Doing so will bring peace to [my] heart as [I] focus on the insurmountable greatness of His love.
A couple of the verses given stood out to me most:
Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes. 1 Samuel 12:16 ESV
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 ESV
Here’s what I wrote in response to today’s devotional:
I think some times we all forget to “stop and smell the roses,” only, in this case, the roses are God, and instead of “smelling,” we’re sitting still, meditating on Him and His Word, then reflecting on how He’s continually impacting Himself in our lives. He’s always there. He never forgets, but instead, always remembers who we are and how each of us specifically need Him in our lives.
This of course led me to having lots more thoughts. 🙂
My cousin, Candi, recently passed away. She was only 58 years old and is the first of all my cousins to pass. One of the first thoughts that came to my mind was how she finally got to meet my beautiful, precious little girl, Mariana, as they are both in heaven, along with our Granny and Grandpa. To say I’m sad can’t begin to describe how losing Candi has affected me, and just so many people who love and care about her. However, the one great solace and comfort we all have is that she was a die‑hard believer and lover of Christ. She’d always place Him as her personal Lord and Savior. While she gets to now be in heaven in her perfect heavenly body with Mariana, Granny, and Grandpa, more importantly, she’s now in heaven with Jesus. I can envision her dancing, singing, and praising him.
Something I wonder about is whether those in heaven miss us at all. Do they wonder how long it’ll be before they are reunited with all of us that are believers? Does God bestow upon them the knowledge of our coming? Or is it like what’s said in the Bible for God where it’ll be the blink of an eye, and we’re reunited? For those of us on earth, death feels so final. It stays with us for the rest of our lives. The closer the death is, the harder it impacts our life. During this time, the person I’m thinking about the most is Randy, Candi’s husband, my beloved cousin‑in‑law.
In the same way, the loss of Mari has affected me, the loss of his beloved, huge‑hearted, wonderful wife will always affect him. I hope that in some way he’s able to feel the comfort of not only those who are surrounding him in love and prayers, but that he’s feeling how God’s wrapping His arms around him and will be there to lift him up over the days, weeks, and even years to come. Even in those moments where he may feel alone, he can reassure that he never will be.
Credit for image goes to simplemanAT
After losing Mari, the loneliness I constantly felt was so stark, and at times, all‑consuming. All too often, I felt alone. Yet, it took me months to fully realize that while I “felt” alone, I never was. I still remember the days as I was walking on my treadmill how the “Footprints in the Sand” poem sprung to my mind. How personal that poem became at that moment. To know how God literally “carried” me during this time of “trials and testings.” As believers, we know with certainty, and to be honest, there isn’t much certainty in today’s world, that God is continually beside us. When those trials and hard times come into our lives, He is there to lift us up, carrying us, until we can be safely put on the ground to walk once again.
The other comforting thing to know is how God will give Randi His personal strength, no matter if he needs a little or a lot, depending on the day or even the moment, to help in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. I have no doubt he will always miss his beloved wife, but just like I have been for almost 12 years now, he will be comforted to know that one day he will be reunited with Candi.
Thank You, Lord, for being so good, and to love us beyond our understanding. You are our great Comfort. Thank You for all You do and how You’re always there.
What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts on what's been said. Thank you.