Joy in Memories – Trust in God

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I have many friends who inspire me. As we learn in the book of Hebrews, inspiring others is a Biblical idea:

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful;
and let us consider how to stimulate one another
to love and good deeds . . . 
Hebrews 10:23-24

Today I want to tell you about two of my inspirational friends. I’ll call them Nancy and Rose. Both were born before America entered World War II. I have known Nancy since before Ray and I were married. Rose and I have never met except through email. I am thankful that Nancy facilitated Rose and me connecting that way at the beginning of this year. I have received morning devotional emails from Nancy for several years. Since January I have been receiving them from Rose each morning, too.

After not seeing them for many years, I was grateful to see Nancy and her husband in March of 2020 at the funeral visitation for my mother. Nancy’s husband passed away from COVID only a few weeks later. Her morning devotional emails continued as always. Her faith and perseverance inspired me.

Not long after I began emailing with Rose, I learned that her only child, a daughter, was very ill with cancer. Rose is a widow and has no grandchildren. Her daughter passed away earlier this summer. When I wrote to give her my condolences, she responded with six words that have nourished my soul many times during these past few weeks:

Joy in Memories – Trust in God

Yes, joy in memories and trust in God. That is how to live life after a heartbreaking, life changing experience. I’m hanging on to those six words. We really can trust God to keep His wonderful promises. Teach that every day to your kiddos.

Rose’s devotionals always have the same format with a beautiful photograph she has taken, usually in her backyard, and a well-chosen Bible verse. I got this one from her one day last week.

Here is that verse in its context:

. . . we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written,

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:7-9

 

 

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