I think one of the hardest things for us to face is change. We become accustomed to familiar things that make us feel secure. When that security is threatened or taken away it can cause a traumatic reaction within us. Jim and I were married for 26 years. I remember the day he died very well. His condition worsened three weeks before, making it necessary for him to need oxygen to breathe. Our daughter, Debra, who was married and living in another city, had come to help care for him. We nursed him until the day before he died when he requested to be admitted to a hospital. I spent the night there with him and went home the next morning to rest. Debbie took over the watch. It was 11:45 AM when I was startled by the phone ringing. It was Debbie calling to say that her dad had just died. I rushed to the hospital with a song singing in my spirit. “The Joy of the Lord is My Strength.” That song kept repeating in my heart all through the preparation for the funeral, and unknown to me was chosen as the processional out of the church. I know the Lord wanted me to remember those words on that day and throughout the days to come.
I experienced the normal feelings of grief, having no purpose, no reason to keep on keeping on. The home that I had loved and felt so secure in had suddenly become a very empty house. I began to stay away from it. I felt empty also, with no sense of direction. Finally, I realized that I really needed to stay there. I was running away from the very thing I needed to help in the healing process. My home had always been a place where I could find refreshing and peace.
The first weekend that I made myself stay there, I walked to the cemetery where Jim was buried. As I stood there looking at his grave and thinking how I just couldn’t go on without him, I heard another song in my heart. The song was a familiar hymn, at first the melody, then the words came to my mind. “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’s name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” That became a turning point for me. I began to allow the Lord to minister His love to my aching soul. Soon that empty house did not seem empty anymore because I filled it with prayer. Jesus became a very real presence again and prayer became a life giving force that I cannot live without. The Lord taught me not to be so dependent on anything in this world that I could not give it up for His sake. He has said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33). I can testify to that truth, for He has given me an abundance of love, purpose, and direction.
The center of all I have learned is knowing the power in the name, Jesus. Just to speak His Name in faith, releases His power to bring healing and wholeness. Not only to the one speaking but also to those being spoken to or for whom we are praying. His power is available to all those who call on His Name and believe.
The most important thing for the Christian to practice is to worship Jesus with a thankful heart and to desire to be in His presence above all else.
Jesus is my Lord, my hope, my peace, my joy, and I love Him. Praise His holy Name!
Open to His Grace 