Finding Strength in the Day of Trouble

A mother’s love is overflowing, deep and tender towards her children. On my dresser I have a picture that I treasure of my son and me. On its frame is printed, “They can talk heart to heart and share a special bond”. There is a connection of affection between a mom and her children. It is like know other! Children are definitely a wonderful gift from the Lord. I had thirty-one years with my son, Michael, before the Lord took him home. I cherish each memory of him.
I remember the first time I held Michael so close in my arms. It was love at first sight! He was so much a part of me – he inherited so many of my traits: my blue eyes, my smile and my warm olive skin. As Mike grew I watch him develop into a caring young man. He had a heart of gold, so giving and kind. His tenderness towards me caused me to feel secure and deeply loved. I miss him so much! No one can take away my love for him – a love that carries me through to eternity until I see him again one day.

I still remember that terrible day I received the dreadful news that Mike was shot. I felt immobilized upon hearing he had been murdered. The shock crippled me, as fears ran wild in my mind. Through extraordinary difficulties troubles continued to accumulate by a flowing tide of emotion. Trapped and alone I had no place to run. I couldn’t go forward, nor retreat backwards; I certainly was poor in spirit. My raw emotions spilled out unhealthy feelings. Anger seemed to be all I was able to express that caused depression. The result was internal chaos, followed by despair. What was taken from me, my son’s life – nothing, no nothing, could ever replace. The reality that the perpetrator has been put away and will never harm another person gives relief. Yet, while justice was served, this does not bring Mike back…he is gone forever. My dreams and aspirations for him will never be seen. When I found not an ounce of strength to carry on, feeling utterly lost and unable to cope, I cried out to God. Apart from God’s grace I couldn’t make it…no, not alone. Isn’t this the very place we find ourselves before we understand Christ has paved the way for us? I learned to depend on God with every ounce of strength I had. God sustained me in my trials. This meaningful song provided hope as I waited on God’s healing.

“Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here: Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure, gives unto each day what He deems best. Lovingly, it’s part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest. Help me then in every tribulation, so to trust Thy promises, O Lord. That I lose not faith’s sweet consolations offered me within Thy Holy Word. Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, E’er to take as from a Father’s hand. One by one, the days, the moments fleeting, ’til I reach the promise land.” (1)

Understanding that the Lord measures out what is best for me each day helped me to absorb His sweet consolations. His promises gave me a new perspective in order to meet all my needs daily. Only in Him could I survive. It as if the Lord reached into the deep sea of anguish, took my hand, and pulled me up out of the troubled seas. He answered my cry. “The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”(2). God is full of compassion and never left me to bear my sorrow alone. Out of His great mercy, He drew me near to His side. I am under His watchful eye. Every tear I cried was held in a bottle, precious and dear to Him. The Lord didn’t allow me to tarry forever with those overriding negative emotions of grief without coming to my rescue. Instead, He was there with me, ministering comfort to my broken heart. Tenderly, He held me in His love. The goodness of His hand covered me with assurance, He would never leave me nor forsake me. These were tender words of comfort – truth that I needed at a time when my security shook so violently.
Can you hear the Lord’s sweet whisper? He is calling you.

Heavenly Father, help me to hear You. Teach me how to be patient as I wait on You. I desire to know of Your great compassion towards me. I come to You to set my hope on Your words of truth. Please come to meet me here. Amen.

Footnotes:

1. Carolina Sandell Berg (1865) http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Day_by_Day/
2. Psm. 34: 18 (ESV)
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