Last month I bought a box of sympathy cards. After mailing cards to the family members, I have two left. I’m grateful for these beloved and the contributions they have made to our lives. Their love and Christian testimony continues to live within us. I’m also thankful for those who let us know about the passing of these loved ones and dear friends. My constant prayer for these families is that God will be there for them as He is here with us. He is the “God of all comfort who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4). Our afflictions do not have to be the same, similar, or from the same source, for it’s God’s comfort we extend to others.
During the Christmas season my main thought was about Emmanuel, God with us, and now it continues to be uppermost in my mind. God’s presence is real. I would not want to go one moment without the presence of God in my life. He is with me, here, and I rely on His presence.
I tend to pray in triplets: for God’s provision, protection, and presence. In Proverbs I take note of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, and I (we) need all three. I ask God to be there with those who are grieving and here with us as we pray for them. And I can trust that He will answer, the Holy Spirit filling us all and making His presence felt.
May you be enveloped in God’s presence with you, sustaining, satisfying, and supplying your needs physically, emotionally, and spiritually. To those who are in the long process of grief, be assured that God loves you and I love you.
Ann Coker 