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“Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (HCSB)

Some of the sweetest gifts are birthed in the midst of our hardest places. Moments when God exceeds our expectations when all hope is gone. Times when He reaches down and unleashes His love in ways we would never imagined. Glimpses of Him that leave us in awe. Surprised, no overcome, by the giving of something more precious than we dared dreamed.

If you ever have one of those moments – capture it, hold it close, treasure it – because God’s provision of what we so need is priceless. Not easily forgotten.

Spent last weekend receiving one of those gifts mingled in with deep sorrow. Our bestie Jane has battled cancer long, hard and courageously. She has fought her battle with grace and faith. We prayed, prayed and begged but out of God’s deep love He was preparing to bring her home.

Our circle of three had no idea how much we would miss our fourth. When we entered her hospice room reality overwhelmed us but a beautiful smile and tears graced Jane’s face. Sending everyone else out of her room, she wanted time with us – a slumber party in the midst of hard. And so we sat through the night (the three of us) surrounding her bed. Rubbing her back, her frail hands and feeding her ice chips. We laughed, we told stories and we listened. Fully aware of who we were. Engaging us in conversation. Jane even tried to leave with us the next morning– the gift of true friendship knows no limits. Within 24 hours, hard would become harder. Jane would be nonresponsive, peacefully sleeping unaware of anyone in the room.

Memories flood my mind now. And yet, the one I love the most is found around that hospice bed. God knew what Jane needed; He knew what we needed and He held nothing back – isn’t that just like Him. Right in the midst of excruciating grief, He showered us all with His presence and His love.

Don’t know what hard places you may be experiencing. Haven’t walked your journey with you. But one thing I do know is that we are never forsaken and never alone. From the moment we breathed our first breath to the transitioning of our lives into His presence, God’s love runs deep. He is aware of every little detail especially the ones we don’t even give voice to. And even in the heart wrenching goodbyes, God whispers – its only for a little while.

“Father, You have given us the sweetest gift – one we will never forget. A treasured connection, we will never forever cherish.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life