We just finished a series of small group classes on Sunday night. Carol and I facilitated a class entitled "Dealing with Grief." The last session Carol gave some practical ideas for dealing with special days during the first year after losing a loved one. They were great ideas and very practical.

Following her presentation I began to go over some scripture passages that helped me deal with my own grief in the past. I asked the class to turn to Acts 27.14-25. This is the account of Paul aboard a ship that is bound for Rome. The ship has been 14 days without the ability to navigate because they could not see the stars. V. 20 closes with these words: "... and all hope that we should be saved was taken away." At this point Paul relates to those on board that he had a heavenly visitor. Let your mind go for a moment and think about a conversation in heaven. God the Father calls the angel to his side and says, "See that speck of wood bobbing in the storm-tossed Mediterranean sea? One of my children is on there and the sailors have given up hope. I want you to go down there and tell Paul, 'I know where you are. I know what you are going through. I am going to get you to the place that I want you to go.' Now, go and give him that message." The next morning Paul stands before these men and says, "Be of good cheer (v. 22) ... there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve (v. 23) ... saying 'Fear not Paul ...' (v. 24) ... wherefore sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me (v. 25)."

In those moments when the darkness prevails, I find comfort in knowing this. I don't have to know where I am going or how I will get there. The important thing is that My Father knows. That makes the darkness bearable because I am learning this simple truth: I must never doubt in the dark what I know to be true in the light (Isaiah 50.10-11).

Just my thoughts ...
Jerry