Our Comforter

Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”
     The past weeks have been replete with numerous graduations, weddings and birthday celebrations and at the same time we have also seen the news and social media reports of acts of oppression, depression and tragically a rise in suicides.
     When we hear about the senseless loss of loved ones whether the victims of acts of violence, disease or at their own hands, we can’t help but mourn. We cannot control the ups and downs of life; nor can we convince the hands of time to stand still while we gather our wits about us; but what we can do is to know and believe that God is in control. We might not understand untimely deaths, unbridled tragedies or many of the ‘whys’ of life, but we must draw strength, courage and power to face our challenges from the Holy Spirit which dwells within us. It is natural to feel grief and we are blessed as we mourn; but the comfort that comes is not due to the flow of tears or the release of anxiety – it comes directly from the Father.
     Live life; do not be afraid to grab all the gusto it provides and when the up side of the mountain turned into the down swing that plummets to the valley know that the Holy Spirit, our Paraclete, our Comforter is there and we shall be comforted.
    Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Happy 60th birthday to my life-long friend, Paula Norman Thompson.