As I posted previously, my long-time friend Patty died recently. I traveled to Harlowton, Montana, last Friday for her Celebration of Life on Sunday the 6th. I returned home Monday evening.
It was a difficult trip for a couple of reasons. I am not as young as I once was, and air travel is not as easy as it once was. Still, I was blessed with on-time flights, great passenger assistants with wheelchairs, and luggage that did not get lost.
It was also a difficult trip because I was grieving the loss of my long-time friend and I knew the people I would be meeting would also be grieving their loss of wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend.
Sunday morning, I went to morning service at Patty’s church. There I found many, many people who also loved Patty. We encouraged each other. Family and friends, singing together, worshipping together, hugging each other, remembering Patty, and reminding each other of the promises of our Christian faith.
I thought about part of Paul’s salutation to the church in Rome. “For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” [Romans 1:11-12 NLT]
Sometimes the path we are on is difficult. Sometimes we feel all alone. But our faith was never meant to be walked alone. Spending time with others who trust God – even during time of grieving, encourages us. It reminds us that God’s promises are faithful and true.
It urges us to also remain faithful and true and to continue in our mutual faith even when the going gets tough. Amen
