This will be a busy and emotional week. To begin the week, my friend and I plan to attend a visitation and funeral for a dear friend’s 95-year old grandfather. He was near and special to her and to the rest of the family. Saying good-bye to loved ones, attending visitations and funerals are not top of the list of “want to dos.” They top the list for: “have-to-dos.”
My own dear mom died of cancer at the early age of 58. It’s been 19 years since she was promoted to glory; yet I still cry for her. I will shed tears today–I can’t help it. Her death didn’t seem fair or necessary. For this reason, funerals are particularly rough for me. And so, as I prepare myself for this funeral and try to be an encouragement to this family, a verse is Psalms comes to mind:
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the Lord.” (Psalms 31:24)