A word for the weary...

Over the past 24 hours I have learned of two terrible tragedies that have haunted my mind and broken my heart. Both were found out through various blogs and although I do not know the families personally, I can't help but feel a connection to them as both are young families blessed with their first child. One of the families lost their precious 4 month old baby girl on February 17th from SIDS. The other family is mourning the loss of not only the young mother but also their 15 month old son from a car accident. I write about this, not to bring you sadness but to share with you good news....

He (God) has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, 
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisioners...
to comfort all who mourn
and provide for those who grieve in Zion --
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, 
the oil of gladness 
instead of mourning, 
and a garment of praise intead of a spirit of despair. 

--Isaiah 61:1-3

In this broken fallen world we live in, we are going to suffer, experience loss and heartache. Things will sometimes be hard, we are going to get hurt and tough stuff is going to happen that we will struggle to find meaning in. But God is ALWAYS good. He is sovereign and loving, mericful and compassionate. Because of the junk we are susceptible to in this world, He has given us a great gift - Jesus! He is the one who has been sent to bind up your broken heart, set you free from the captivity of your sin and bring you peace among chaos...only He can replace grief with gladness and give tears of joy in place of tears of despair. 

It's news such as this that makes my heart yearn for heaven...an eternity free from grief, pain and suffering. Please lift these famlies up in prayer....

...I am going to hug my sweet baby boy a little more today.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33