Welcome Heart, Sue Donaldson, Speaker

Yesterday I heard about a local woman whose husband died suddenly of a heart attack. He was only 52. She tried to administer CPR before the paramedics arrived, but he didn't revive. I can't imagine her pain and bewilderment about now. But, I do know someone who can. About a year and a half ago, my friend, Karin lost her husband just as suddenly from a hunting accident. I'm not sure how Karin found out about the other woman - church perhaps - but Karin was at her side within the hour. A kinship sorrow succored in part by a shared experience.

I'd rather there not be any pain or sorrow or need for midnight runs to a friend's side. But, it's bound to be. Jesus said so. "In the world there will be tribulation." We're in this world and it can be filled with grief.

Paul gave valuable insight in II Corinthians 1:3,4 - "Blessed be God... the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort which we are comforted of God."

Karin did this very thing. Out of her grief, she is giving what she knows. This is a great gift of God: to know that He will use even the hardest part of life this side of heaven. Nothing is wasted. Be comforted with that. You may not care right now. You may not see it. But, it will happen.  He will bring someone your way, and by then, you will be ready.

"God puts within our reach the power of helpfulness, the ministry of pity: He is ever ready to increase His grace in our hearts, that as we live and act among all the sorrows of the world we may learn by slow degrees the skill and mystery of consolation." Francis Paget