To the ones who grieve,

You will get through this.

You will! This is not just a sound byte.

In the midst of this heartbreaking season, there will come a time when the load will ever-so slowly begin to lift.

Grief becomes a companion and not your enemy.

Sweet memories replace bitterness and deep sadness.

Glimpses of times gone by, conversations, connections that did not make sense at the time start to illuminate understanding.

Overwhelming, unsteady days drift into moments of peace that used to seem unfathomable.

In the upside down life of faith, all that you cannot deal with right now will fade in the light as you look back and see where you have come.

You need only trust.

Trust that the Lord is with you, fiercely for you, and loves you with a love steadfast and pure.

You need only trust Him.

In the midst of grief and fathoming, trust.

You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You, for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You.
So trust in the Eternal One forever,
for He is like a great Rock—strong, stable, trustworthy, and lasting.

// Isaiah 26:3-4 VOICE

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I write this still sorrowful and heavy laden from the weight of the shootings around this country. My prayers for the communities where gun violence has occurred will not stop. I will strive to do what I can do to turn the tide and break this cycle of violence in our country. My prayers will not stop because they are powerful when added to the community of Christ followers.