Sunday, December 13th
I’m not superstitious, and have nothing against the 13th – Friday or otherwise. My mom was born Fri. May 13, 1932. Ian and I were married on Sat. Feb. 13, 1982. But I can see how superstitions get started for some people. My life does seem to have a lot of parallels and accompanying lessons. Take Sunday, December 13th, for example…
Sunday, December 13, 2009 was the day Pastor Lyle did not preach the sermon he had prepared for that day. Instead he faced a congregation who were shocked and stunned as he told them about our son James’s death the night before. Everyone knew and loved James, as he had been active in our church life for three years. Our family was not there that day, but I have a recording of Pastor Lyle’s thoughts and insights.
Sunday, December 13, 2020 is the first time my church doors have been open but I have not felt I could attend the service without dishonouring God. And it has nothing to do with COVID. I won’t go into the reasons publicly, but I can say there are a good few of us who feel the same way.
I marvel at how God works in each of our lives. Years ago I read the book, Hinds Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard. In it, the author suggests the Lord gives each of us a special companion who goes through life with us to teach us His lessons. The companion is often not welcome, because on the surface it appears this companion is there only to hurt us or keep us from joy. But as Joseph said to his brothers, in Genesis 50:20… “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
LOSS seems to be my life companion. Loss of people close to me… loss of two churches I loved… loss of two blogs I had spent years building… But with each loss, God has brought me closer to Himself, and taught me more and more what it means that Christ is my All in all… my Everything…
Ian and I sang this song three years ago. He has since been called Home by God. “I Surrender All” means everyone and everything.
What is your special companion God has sent into your life? Is it LOSS? PAIN? POOR HEALTH? POVERTY? DEPRESSION? It isn’t always easy, being a Christian. If you have never surrendered yourself to Jesus Christ, it may well be He is drawing you to Himself right now. If you are already His child, look to Him. Know that He brings these things into your life to make you more like Christ, that He might bring honour and glory to Himself through you.
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Thy statutes.” – Psalm 119:71