WHAT A FRIEND.......

Remember me?  It’s been so long since I posted anything that folks have probably forgotten about me.  I will try to do better and make more frequent posts.  I do enjoy sharing for sure.  Time just doesn't always cooperate.

This week has been an unusually sad week.  I began the week on Monday at my accountant’s office, arriving just as one of his female workers got the news that her dad had suddenly passed away.  It’s very hard to comfort when something like this happens.  As she was trying to gather herself in her office, I asked the coworkers (who are my friends) if she was a Christian.  They answered yes.  Before I could stop my mouth, I told them if she wanted someone to pray with her I would.  As soon as those words went out of my mouth, I thought to myself, “Have I lost my mind?  What do you mean?  Geez….”  Then I was reminded of the scripture that says to always be prepared.  Well I did pray with this sweet one…hope it was a comfort but it was sure an act of faith for me.

That afternoon when I got back home, I got the call that my cousin’s son moved to heaven at age 42.   The day was not looking so good.  Doesn’t seem fair or right in our human eyes, huh?  Even when you know that God knows best and sees that big picture, one still wants to wonder why.  It’s especially hard for a mama, or so I would imagine.  I hope I never know that pain.  Not that I’m any better than anyone else, I just hope and pray I never know that pain….just being honest here.  I have all respect and love for all of the mamas who have known that pain...and I know many.  I don’t know how one would make it without the Lord.

It seems as though we often lose touch with our family.   That’s how it is with this side of my family.  My granny and many aunts and uncles have gone to be with the Lord.   I was blessed to see many of my cousins last night at the funeral home visitation.  I found it important that I hear again all the cousins’ ages.  That was amazing to me.  In the lineup from oldest to youngest, unfortunately, I fall in the number three position.  The youngest, who was the flower girl in The Husband and my wedding, is now 43 with teenage children.  Really?  That much time has gone by?  It felt unbelieveable but wonderful to see the ones I did get to see even though it was in such a sad atmosphere.  There was a lot of remembering the good times and the good things which was a blessing to me.

Back to my thoughts here….I get so distracted when I write, just as I do in real life.  Age, I’ve determined.  After all I AM number three in the lineup of cousins from oldest to youngest. 

At the funeral today, there were many tears shed.  At the beginning of the service, the Christian anthem of Amazing Grace was sang.  His grace is amazing, isn’t it?  And thank the good Lord we have it.  My cousin had written a letter to her son and it was read beautifully by her sweet granddaughter.  More tears.  Then The Singer sang the next song.  As soon as I heard the piano music begin, I recognized the tune to “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”….one of my all time favorites for sure.  I listened, REALLY listened, to the words of that song and as the words were sung, my heart began to overflow with joy.   “What a friend we have Jesus….all our sins and griefs to bear….what a privilege to carry….everything to God in prayer….” A privilege.  A privilege to carry EVERYTHING to God in prayer.  I sat there and was reminded that God cares about you and He cares about me.  GOD CARES.   And, oh my goodness, what a joy and a blessing that is for us!  I sat in that funeral home chapel and cried and cried….not sad tears but joyful tears that GOD CARES.  My cup overflowed.  The Holy Spirit came to my pew and touched my heart and strengthened me.  I was still  sad for my cousin and her loss but joyful that I was assured at the end of that service that her son had gone to heaven to be with the Lord. 

I looked up the lyrics to this sweet song--finding the familiar verses and even one I had never heard before.  The song goes like this:

What a friend we have in Jesus.

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer.

Oh what peace we often forfeit.

Oh what needless pain we bear.

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged.

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful?

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness.

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden?

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior still our refuge.

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee.

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised.

Thou wilt all our burdens bear.

May we ever, Lord, be bringing

All to thee in earnest prayer

Soon in glory bright, unclouded.

There will be no need for prayer.

Rapture, praise, and endless worship

Will be our sweet portion there.

So when you are “cumbered with a load of care”, take it to the Lord in prayer!  HE CARES!