Acquaintedಮಾದರಿ

I remember being angry for many months after the deaths of our 11-year-old granddaughter and my mother, 2 1/2 weeks apart, both unexpectedly. "Where is Jesus in THIS?" That's what I thought for a long time.

I had been marinating in God's Word prior to. However, when I would say out loud, "This isn't fair!" That still, small voice would say, "But it IS." Then, I would hear Scripture, "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21) Did this make me feel better? Immediately, it sure didn't, but I knew these were Truths that I had to accept. I was asking for forgiveness many times for the thought processes that occurred in my grief. I got angry when I heard people laugh. How dare they laugh and have a good time while I am in such immense pain and suffering? Then I would hear God say, "They don't know, Julie, and life goes on for those who remain." When I would see older people, I would immediately get angry and think, " Why did they get to live, but my 69-year-old Mama did not? Seeing other kids, I would think, "Why did that one get to live, but ours did not?" Jesus would speak, "I wanted them with ME."

See, I could only hear from Jesus in intense moments of upset because I had already set up a heart posture to listen for Him before life went sideways. Do you stop to give Him time and listen for Him to speak?

It took me quite a while to adjust to the new normal. I was reminded that death is not a punishment for the believer, but a massive reward. (Phil 1:21, 1 Cor. 15:57). Those we love who are Christians are given victory over death. It is not punishment for me and all who loved them that God chose them among us; it was their third birth! We are born into the world for the first time through our handpicked mothers. If you choose Christ as Savior, you are born into the family of God. As a Christian, to die is GAIN...and you are born into your eternal home.

Study that number 3...you'll glean much more than you can imagine. In Scripture, the number 3 symbolizes divine completeness, perfection, and solid testimony. It signifies a holy, trinity-based wholeness (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and highlights pivotal moments of resurrection and redemption, such as Jesus' rising on the third day. It represents a fully established purpose.

Give God your time every day. Consult Him on everything, not just when it's hard, and you will find Him FAITHFUL. (1Thess 5:24)