I feel like I have been living my life in a fog. Just over 2 months ago, a good friend passed away. He was a godly man, so it was an easy funeral to put together. He was a friend, so it was a hard funeral to put together. The family are also good friends, so it was an easy funeral to do, and a hard funeral to do. I felt better after the funeral, but remained somewhat in a fog. He had passed away so suddenly, none of us had any time to process.
A week later, another man passed away. This man had attended somewhat regularly from time to time, and had a long history of being ill. I did not know him well, but greatly cared for him and his wife. It was a totally different funeral, and easy and hard for different reasons. This funeral was more draining, but I at least felt that I had ministered to the family well. The funeral director even told me that he has listened to so many funeral services, that he is often very callous to them. He continued that even though he didn't know the man, the message connected with him and had a sense of hope that he doesn't often hear.
A week ago, my neighbor, and a friend as well as a church member went out to shovel a path to her mailbox, or shovel off her car - we're not sure. She did this in the middle of a storm that ended up dumping 3-4 feet of snow on us over about 3 days. We're not sure whether she slipped, or had a stroke or heart attack, but she ended up falling. By the time help was called and she was taken to the ER, it was too late. God had called her home. That funeral was Friday.
3 funerals in just over 2 months. Not all that rare for some situations. But for a small country church this has been extremely rare. This blog exists because life can get us down. I have been down. Not depressed, not miserable, but distracted. Our Sunday School Lesson yesterday reminded me that Satan can use many things to 'darken' our lives, to keep us away from the light. I have been letting life happen to me, instead of happening to my life. Why do I say that? Discipline has been very low in my life the last couple of months. Family Bible time, being purposeful with my wife and children, study time for church work, eating habits and exercise have all suffered in different ways. Each lapse of discipline takes away some of the light that should be in my life.
This blog also exists because, although life can get us down, God can help us up. Today, I choose to happen to my life in a godly way. I choose to spend the time to do what needs to be done, not wasting days at a time. I choose to let my beliefs and values impact my schedule and choices. Why? Because "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Because "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." For me, these things would be impossible. But "with God, nothing shall be impossible."
If life's got you down (depressed, distracted, discouraged) look to God, He'll lift you back up!
