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This week, while my Sandwich Generation family has been celebrating the 4th of July, we've had quite a bit of red white and blue fun – online and off. But, as with any holiday, I know there are many a family right now who are reeling from the grief and loss that comes with helping a senior parent enter hospice or losing a loved one and missing them dreadfully.
For a Christian, even when we have the blessed assurance our loved one is safe in heaven, the pain and suffering of missing them can be a 24/7 emotion for some time – with a holiday multiplying the grief exponentially! Those are the times when I do best by soaking my heart and my mind in the Word of God – through comforting praise and worship music, verse by verse Bible studies on my ipod, encouraging books on grief and loss like Randy Alcorn's devotions – 50 Days of Heaven, and uplifting Bible verses printed out on a sheet of paper and carried with me everywhere.
Some of the comforting Bible verses I've saved over the years include:
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Isaiah 41:10
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. Ps. 27:13-14
God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. Ps 54:4
Through God we shall do valiantly, And it is He Who will tread down our adversaries. Ps. 60:12
Whether you are in the midst of a loved one's final illness or are grieving their loss, I pray you will be blessed by God's words of encouragement, His love and His gentle power surrounding you.
