Why couldn’t he just be like he was before? Man, where could they stick John so he couldn’t comfort or influence others with grace and the truth? Where banish?.. so that he couldn’t pass on encouragement, hope, faith, joy or even wisdom from his personal experiences to others?
Here’s where he prayed and wrote from.. t'was a li’l island way out in the sea. Surely John couldn't do any damage from there.
Many of his loved ones were gone or far FAR away. Not by their own doing. But listen, it didn’t stop him. Not at all.
John received comfort and comforted. He lived the life and kept inspiring people with God's word. I like that.
“God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’" ~ John, stuck on the Island of Patmos (below), Rev. 3-5 nkjv
“..He will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” Lam. 3:32b-33
“Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence. If I say, ‘My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Ps. 94:17-19
“When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” nlt
"Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Isa. 46:3-4 nkjv
“I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born.. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” nlt
Thank you for the outpouring of prayer and love! I think we’re being carried on through. Like has happened with so many in this club we and they never asked to join. It’s hard to explain the beautify of healthy fellowship first upwards and then outwards.
It’s a question we ask every day without even thinking about it:
“How are you doing?”
The normal answer is “Fine,” and the standard counter-greeting is to respond equally when someone asks you the same question. But sometimes this simple inquiry can become the hardest question to answer.
As much as you’d like to give a short and simple answer like “Fine,” you just can’t do that when you’ve recently lost someone close to you. Answering “fine” would be like a betrayal to the one you are missing. And it’s untruthful too.
On the other hand, how do we respond? To answer truthfully and say “Not very well” leaves you vulnerable to explaining your feelings and might make the other person feel awkward for asking. It can potentially lead to a fresh flood of grief and heartache that—to be honest—can be exhausting to go through again.
Sometimes the best way to respond is with: Ouch. Sometimes it’s good to say nothing at all, but just to listen and be present. Never have been such a good listener, but I’m trying to and am being present for Liney. Been candidly prayin’ together out on a long stroll daily. She’ll be home soon and we’ll go do this again.
Tears seem more normal now. And waiting is proper.. like on the Lord during times like these. I like to get past mourning, grieving. Seekin’ can be real good. Crying out too. Man, it is good to hear Him, to hear our friends, and to weep with those who have also experienced some loss.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” 2 Cor. 1:3-7
I don't think I lost my son on 9/1/21 to Covid, but he must have been ill? Not sure yet. I’ve met several people who are suffering after losing someone to Covid 19 this year. I met one lady who lost her parents so quickly.. her dad in 10 days and didn't get to visit him.
Am trying to learn some, so I can become a better friend. You know I haven’t always been one. Sometimes I feel ADD when listening ..not that I am. Dunno really. Easily distracted at times. I often work hard too thinkin’ I’ll do that friend stuff and spend gobs more time when my ducks are better in a row and stay that way. You know. So what have I heard before on this kinda stuff..from those who have been through it..or through similar stuff? From those in this club (like I'm now in, the lost a family member club) that they didn’t wanna be in? I've heard lots of helpful stuff like...
Don’t compare their pain with your own
- “I know just how you feel.”
- “My grandmother died too, so I understand.”
Don’t rush to the end of the grief process
- “You’ll get over this soon.”
- “Time heals all wounds.”
Don’t try to explain God’s actions
- “God always picks the prettiest flowers first.”
- “God must have needed to have her close to Him.”
Don’t substitute
- “Let’s be thankful you still have other children.”
- “It must be a comfort to you that your other grandfather is still living.”
Don’t theologize
- “All things work together for good; God will bring good from this.”
- “God never gives us more than we can handle.”
Don’t be fatalistic
- “It must have been his time to go.”
- “This was obviously God’s will.”
Hey Kurt, be comforted and share that as you are led to. Don’t rush it. Keep it simple, dude. (So many people have called and written to comfort Liney and I, Father God, please use us as well to inspire, to comfort, to help others. We want to point the hurting people to Jesus. What can we say to help them?)
- “There are no words to say.”
- “I’m so sorry.”
- “I love you!”
Let them know they are not alone
- “Thinking of you today.”
- “We’ve been praying for you, and will continue to pray.”
Tell them you’ll be there for them
- “If there’s anything I can do, no matter how small, I want to help.”
- “If you ever want to talk, day or night, please call me.”
Offer hope
- “I look forward to being with her again.”
- “He’s a bigger part of your future than he was of your past.”
Don’t avoid talking about their loved one
- “He was such a good husband and father.”
- “I always admired how sweet and kind and forgiving she was.”
Reminisce
- “I remember a time when just she and I got to talk about...”
- “I’ll never forget the day he pulled that funny prank on me...”
Remember: God is with us, real close.
Have ya lost someone lately due to Covid? Not sure yet if I have, the Tox-report comes back in 4 months.
Was it unexpected? So sorry. We might never really get over it.. or completely get over it while here.
But remember this: God really is with us, believer. Close. He hears. There is even a blessedness in mourning. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Let’s not neglect healthy fellowship with Him and each other.
If you can join us, let’s hang out together. Am aiming to be at a Christ-focused memorial service, and then meet friends afterwards in the reception hall next to the stone chapel at: Prestonwood Baptist Church at 6801 West Park Blvd. Plano, TX 75093 on Friday September 17, 2021 at 2:00 pm. Liney and I hang out here as often as we can. It never feels too big when in a small group. Gobs of men meet there at 6:30 am every Friday too. Love it.
Some people settle the Savior issue in their life, and then some get alone and settle the Lordship issue. I dare ya to, I challenge you. Choose the best One for you, sure decide and settle both okay. Why not asap? What would prevent you from returning even now? Would anything prevent you? Let nothing get in the way. If it’s in the way, it’s an idol to chuck.
Been banished away from your buds like John was? Need some comfort today? Some encouragement? Lost a loved one or something that meant a whole lot to you? Expect it--the need to be met by the One who cares about you. Like no other. He cared for John out there.
God is there for ya too, close--He gives solace, healing and restoration. Come to, or come back to. Now is good. Right here. Sure beats later or tomorrow or elsewhere. See John 14:1-2, Revelation 14:13, 1 John 3:2, Romans 8:18, Luke 20:36, Psalm 22:24, Psalm 23, Psalm 27:4-5, Psalm 30:5, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 37:39, Psalm 9:9, Psalm 18:2 and their context. He’ll get you through this -- through anything you are now facing.
