When my mom passed away from cancer seven months ago, the pain was unbearable. I'd hold my breath as I listened to her voicemail messages just to hear her voice and scroll through my phone to see pictures I'd taken while visiting her last year. Anything I could do to hold on to her a …
Tag: loss
Snapshot
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago." Psalm 77:11 NIV. Sometimes you only need a mental snapshot of a chair, a room, an airport, or a sidewalk to remind you of the place where your heart was wounded and your life was forever changed. Where …
Grief
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they WILL be comforted." Matthew 5:4 NIV, emphasis my own. When you have to let go of a loved one, grief can seem like a consuming rain. It's all you think about. It's all you know. You slip out of bed in the morning to find your feet are …
Crushed and Brokenhearted
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Psalm 34:18 NLT. Unfortunately, you can't protect your heart from being broken. You can't build a wall high enough to keep your spirit from being crushed. The medical diagnosis of someone you love can knock you down, leaving you struggling to …
Lost
"If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me [Jesus], you'll find both yourself and me." (Matthew 10:39 MSG.) There will be seasons in your life when you feel lost. If you focus on yourself, trying to figure everything out on …
Knocked Down
"If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath." Psalm 34:18 MSG. Sometimes life hurts. It can be devastating at times. You'll get the news, and you'll feel as if you've been kicked in the gut. It's so painful, so unexpected that …
When Things Don’t Make Sense
Asking "Why?" is liking pulling on a loose thread. Once you start tugging, things can unravel and leave you wondering how to make sense out of everything. The hard part is trusting God when things don't make sense - when things really hurt. If you choose instead to ask "Why?" and to stay determined to …
Reading, “Flowers in February”
I felt led to do something a little different today, and I hope this reaches those who are needing it. If you're struggling with loss or discouragement during this cold and dark season, I pray my short story, "Flowers in February" reminds you of the unending hope you have in the Lord. Be blessed, and …
Joey Rudder 