I just wanted to share what's been happening in our family these past few weeks. As we have struggled with the suffering of our dear father and grandfather we have been blessed beyond measure by our church family. Here is a sampling of an email sent out by Ray's fellow elder and dear friend. I can't imagine walking these days without them. Notice the use of the word - we. The church is one body.
Pastor Ray’s Dad died this afternoon. Ray will send out the funeral arrangements once they are complete. For now, please continue to pray for the family. Once the situation has solidified, I will send out some suggestions for how we may minister to them. Ray made it home last night and is with Lori and the girls today.
As you know, Rachel and Adrian’s Wedding is scheduled for Saturday, so we will have a funeral and a wedding this week. As we read this morning, God Himself will provide – Praise be to Him. We His people are often the instruments of His provision, so let us consider together how we may be of comfort and help to the Rhodes at this hour. May our faithfulness be a balm to their souls.
I trust that the Gospel has informed and deepened your Christmas experience and allowed you to minister to your families, extended families, friends, and neighbors. Remember that the shadow of the Cross lies across the Bethlehem manger and thus gives hope to the hopeless and comfort to the grieving.
Let us all look to Christ and long for His return to put an end to sin and suffering and death.
1 comment:
Lori, I am so sorry for your family's loss. My grandmother died on the 23, and we have been experiencing the wide range of emotions at this time of year. My grandmother's first child died on Christmas Day in the 40's and all those years she made the effort to make Christmas a beautiful time for all the family members she still had around her. She gave us many such lessons by her example of smiling through her tears, never letting grief overwhelm, but always looking toward the Light. There is so much beauty in life as well as death when they are part of the Church. It comforts me to think of funerals, baptisms, and marriages all taking place in the same place: before the altar of the Living God.
"For He will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."
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