The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville Tennessee United States for Tuesday, 12 June 2018 "Awakening to Love" by Jenny Donaldson (Missouri) Psalm 52:8-11

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The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville Tennessee United States for Tuesday, 12 June 2018 "Awakening to Love" by Jenny Donaldson (Missouri) Psalm 52:8-11 
I am convinced that neither death nor life . . . neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 (NIV))
When my son Chad was murdered three days before Christmas in 2014, my grief and depression became unbearable. I started questioning God’s love for me and for my son. I just couldn’t find any peace or comfort.
Mother’s Day 2016 brought a remarkable change to my life. Even though I didn’t want to, I went to church that day. When I arrived, my friends greeted me with hugs. During the children’s time, each child received a flower to give to a woman in the congregation. I watched as a girl named Anna made a beeline toward me. She handed me her flower with a look of love that was indescribable.
Later in the service, as I listened to the sermon, the pastor made reference several times to mothers who had lost a child. Afterward, the pastor told me that he had me in mind when he wrote his message.
After church, I had lunch with my other son, and we had a truly wonderful afternoon and evening. I felt God’s profound love, and I realized that God had been caring for me all along by sending people to love and support me.
My life has been permanently changed by my son’s death. But I now know firsthand that no matter where life takes me, God loves me, cares for me, and is always there for me.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for always being there for us and for letting us know the power of your love in all things. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Psalm 52:8 (6) The righteous will see and be awestruck;
they will jeer at him, saying,
9 (7) “This fellow would not make God his refuge,
but trusted in his own great wealth,
relying on his evil plots.”
10 (8) But I am like a leafy olive tree
in the house of God;
I put my trust in the grace of God
forever and ever.
11 (9) I will praise you forever for what you have done,
and I will put my hope in your name;
for this is what is good
in the presence of your faithful. (Complete Jewish Bible).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: During my darkest hours, God shines a light of love and peace.
PRAYER FOCUS: Those mourning the loss of a child
READ MORE: More From Jenny Donaldson

More From Jenny Donaldson BY JENNY DONALDSON (MISSOURI) RELATED DEVOTIONALS: AWAKENING TO LOVE

I have experienced and survived two more Mother’s days since my meditation that described Mother’s Day 2016. Every Mother’s Day since has been a painful reminder that I no longer have my son, Chad, with me but each one is also a reminder of God’s love and provision for us in our future beyond this world. As there are absolutely no guarantees in this life, it’s all the more vital that we appreciate and cherish what we have RIGHT NOW. What we have RIGHT NOW is this day, each other, the lives we are living, and, above all, the love we both give to and receive from each other.
I am writing this on May 24, 2018. Tomorrow evening, I will be going to a memorial service for one of my son’s best friends. She died on May 19, 2018 at the age of 33. Her death was very sudden and unexpected and right now, her cause of death is unknown. She leaves a three-year-old son behind who has no way of understanding what has happened or why and right now, his future appears to be very uncertain.
I have known this young lady since her childhood and she and I have been through a lot over the years. She has been, in some ways, the daughter I never had.
Right now, my grief is very heavy, but I also know that it’s a victory for her . . . those of us who have been left behind are grieving, but this young lady really does fly high now. She is with my son and her other family and friends who have passed before.
As I’ve never experienced it, it’s hard to imagine how this young lady feels about leaving her three-year-old son behind. I hope and believe that she now sees the big picture and has a deeper understanding and acceptance of what is, and what will be, than we could ever conceive while we are in this life.
I don’t know if I’m making sense or if I seem to be rambling. All I know is that God is absolutely in control and God's love ALWAYS shines through no matter how dire the current circumstances appear to be. I thank God for being with me as my own faith continues to grow, evolve, and develop. I am very excited by the thought of what the future will bring and how sweet it will be to reunite with the loved ones we have lost.
God bless you all!
Jenny Donaldson

Link2Life - June 12

Link2Life - June 12

JUNE 12, 2018 BY JENNY DONALDSON (MISSOURI)

RELATED DEVOTIONALS: AWAKENING TO LOVE

Jenny with her son, Chad

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