When Walking Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

Mar. 2017

Over the past month, since my dear mother turned '92'...then fell and broke her hip on the same day, my life has been a series of ups and downs.  "Will she or won't she make it this time?"  After spending 10 days with her, it seemed she may be here for  awhile, so I returned to my home about 1500 miles away from her.  However, during my time there I discovered the devotional book, "Words of Comfort & Cheer" by Lettie Cowman.  Words cannot convey just how timely and helpful these devotionals have been to me while we walk through this "valley of the shadow of death."

One passage I'll focus on is Matt. 8:22 "Jesus said to him,'Follow Me, and let the dead bury their dead."  The author brings out that the Lord is not asking us to deny our sorrow and simply manifest stoicism.  No--but she is saying that we can not cure our own sorrow by nursing it too long.  If we do, it may grow into a very obstinate, persistent; even habitual attitude of heart.  What she brings out here instead is, the antidote of  looking on the things of others...and begin to nurse their sorrows...begin to care for them!

And, amazingly, by ministering to them in their tears He is healing ours!

While growing up at home, so many years ago now; my mother used to tell me, "If you feel lonely, look around for someone who may be lonelier or more frightened, and be kind to them."   This was wonderful advice!  It really did help me many times; to get my mind off of myself!  And, the Lord has this written in His Word; "Look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others!" (Phil 2:4)  And again it is written in Job 42:10 "And the Lord restored Job's losses (turned his captivity) when he prayed for his friends."

I am finding these days, that I am being marvellously helped by following assignments the Lord is giving me day by day.  That is surely much better than sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring...with a report of her current progress.   I did not realize how difficult it would be for me, to walk through this valley with my Mother and my siblings.  It is extremely painful, but...I KNOW HE  is with me!  Part of the poem in the devotional is as follows: 

"Hearts growing weary, with heavier woe now droop midst the darkness; go comfort them-go!

Go bury your sorrow, let others be blest; go give them the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest."