Missing You...

"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 
'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."    Jeremiah 29:11


      I have had a tough year as have many of you.   Sometimes I think that my problems are worse than anyone else's but then something happens and I realize that we all have pretty much the same problems.    Since last September I have lost several people whom I  will dearly miss.   Many of you have also lost loved ones.  God has been teaching me a lot in the past few months about loss.
       In Jeremiah 1:5 God tells us that He knew us before we were even formed in our mother's wombs.   So that means that He knew each and every one of us.   He knew we were coming even before our parents did.  This means that there were no mistakes.   No unwanted children. God planned for us.  He gave us to the parents who raised us.  He had a plan for each of us.   In Jeremiah 29:11 He even tells us that.   So that really says it all, or does it?   
       I believe that God has been telling me about the ones whom we have lost, that they have done what He sent them here to do.   That He had a plan.  That He placed us where He wanted us to be.  That He had something that He wanted for each of us to accomplish during our lifetime.  We don't necessarily know what that something was.  It might be what we feel is our "calling" but then again, it may not really be that.  Our "calling" might just be what God does to prepare us to do His special task, or it might just place us where He needs/wants for us to be.  Sometimes we think we have found our "calling" and then we think "nope, that wasn't it at all, it's this instead..."   It may have been one or both or maybe neither.   We will probably never be really sure of that until He takes us home.   But what I feel He has been showing me is that once we have accomplished that which He wanted us to accomplish, He takes us home to be with him.    So that those whom we are missing, are probably sitting with Jesus discussing our progress (or lack of it) in our walk with God.  We don't really need to feel sad that they aren't here, because they are in a better place.  They are probably really happy where they are.... 
         Everyone has someone whom they affect.  Even young babies can affect us.  The birth of a child changes lives forever.   The loss of a young child or infant could devastate a parent or it could pull them closer to God.   God has a plan for each of us.  He puts people in our paths all the time who make differences in our lives.   Look around.  Who do you know that has had an effect on you?   Would you have ever guessed that that person would have made such an impact on your lives?       
         I was having dinner with some relatives last night, and we got to talking about my dad.   Those of you who know me know that I lost him this past winter.  God has really been my strength as I have dealt with his death.  I thought I was over it, and yet this conversation last night was difficult.   But God helped me through that one too.  I realized that each of us is affected by someone differently.  My memories are not your memories.  Incidents may be the same.  But we each take something different away.
          My own walk with God has grown in leaps and bounds in the past few years.  I have been surrounded by friends who have walked through hard times with God's help.  They have shared their lives with me.  I have learned from them.  God has taken what I have learned from them and shown me how I too can walk closer with Him.  I have had to go through some rather rough storms.  Even though I have good friends, I have had to walk through those storms alone with God rather than with my friends.   Don't get me wrong, my friends were there for me... praying for me.... just as I do for them when they go through the rough times, but some things have to be handled between us and God.
           To my friends who are going through those rough times right now, know that I and probably everyone whom you are close to are praying for you.  We love you and ask for God to strengthen and comfort you in these hard days.  There is nothing that we can say or do that will bring you comfort like God can, but know that we have been there and He has helped us through it and He will do the same for you.
          Dear Lord, this was an odd subject to broach, loss is difficult for everyone, and no one is immune to it.  We all experience it.  Some more than others, but everyone goes through it.   Please help us to grow stronger in our walk with you and to let you be there for us in those times of need.   And help our friends to realize that they can't make us feel any better during those times, but that their prayers can do wonders.   And help us to remember that we are not alone as we go through those times.   Please be with my friends.  Thanks!