22/11/2018

Good morning. It was on this day in 1963 that John F Kennedy was assassinated. The effect it had on his family must have been unimaginable. Pain is pain, we just feel it in different ways. From the extremes of violent crime, to not getting the exam results we expected, to parents separating, to the loss of a business, or the loss of a loved one…it’s never easy.

In July 2017. My Dad passed away from an aggressive form of cancer. I found it hard to pray immediately after this. I had only really said nice things to God, but what do you pray when you’re angry with him? I was clueless until I came across the heart wrenching Psalm 13, [which biblical scholars believe was written by King David]

1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
2 How long will you hide your face from me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,

King David’s honesty encouraged me to pray honest and vulnerable prayers to God and this helped me move forward.

Life is about perspective. It’s now almost 18 months since my Dad’s death, and it seems like he’s getting further away in my memory, but I trust I’m actually getting closer to seeing him again. When I’m in a depressive state, due to my loss, I can choose to see it as things will never get better. Or I can choose to see it as an opportunity to trust the loving God to bring me out of it The book of Revelation envisages a new heaven – a state of perfect restoration in the presence of God., A place with no pain, no sickness, and no depression. Lord Jesus, help me to find that perspective and that hope. Amen.