September 28
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to
your Word. Psalm 119:28
I saw it first in her eyes, still reddened and stained with tears that never had time to dry. Even her shoulders were stooped; the sorrow weighing heavily upon her. She had just buried her son, and not long before, her husband. Although she was dazed from all of her suffering, she looked up with a weak smile, a smile that reassured those around her that she would be all right. As she began to talk about the changes rapidly occurring in her life, her focus became her grandchildren and those expected to be born in the next few weeks. A glint of light appeared in her eyes then; a spark of hope in tomorrow was visible, because of her knowing anticipation of the new life about to make its appearance. The longer she spoke, the straighter her shoulders became; it seemed just the very thought of the days ahead with these new babies strengthened her.
Filled with compassion as I observed my Aunt and all she had endured, the suffering of Our Lady came to my mind - Mary, who buried her son also and understands the agony of grief at its depth. As a child of Mary, it made me think about the unimaginable pain she must have gone through watching her son, Jesus, during His crucifixion and death. Witnessing the sorrow in front of me, I felt it now more strongly in my heart, giving me much to contemplate. Then instantly, the hope of resurrection came to mind; hope of the new life promised to us! Then the question arose, do my actions bring joy to her as she anticipates my future - of my return to her loving arms and those of her son, Jesus?
Hope in tomorrow always brings with it inner strength. It gives purpose and meaning to our days, helps us to continue on the “right” path to accomplish what we set out to do. Scripture assures us of our future with God. Through His Word we are strengthened, enabling us to trust in the anticipation of eternal life. Just as all new
life on earth gives us a small glimpse of the joys we have to look forward to with our heavenly Father, we can
be assured of the new life Jesus has called us to; and no matter how weary our souls become, we are strengthened when we keep our focus on this. How good God is to us!
Lord, remind me of Your Word when my soul is weary, so that my hope in tomorrow is renewed!
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to
your Word. Psalm 119:28
I saw it first in her eyes, still reddened and stained with tears that never had time to dry. Even her shoulders were stooped; the sorrow weighing heavily upon her. She had just buried her son, and not long before, her husband. Although she was dazed from all of her suffering, she looked up with a weak smile, a smile that reassured those around her that she would be all right. As she began to talk about the changes rapidly occurring in her life, her focus became her grandchildren and those expected to be born in the next few weeks. A glint of light appeared in her eyes then; a spark of hope in tomorrow was visible, because of her knowing anticipation of the new life about to make its appearance. The longer she spoke, the straighter her shoulders became; it seemed just the very thought of the days ahead with these new babies strengthened her.
Filled with compassion as I observed my Aunt and all she had endured, the suffering of Our Lady came to my mind - Mary, who buried her son also and understands the agony of grief at its depth. As a child of Mary, it made me think about the unimaginable pain she must have gone through watching her son, Jesus, during His crucifixion and death. Witnessing the sorrow in front of me, I felt it now more strongly in my heart, giving me much to contemplate. Then instantly, the hope of resurrection came to mind; hope of the new life promised to us! Then the question arose, do my actions bring joy to her as she anticipates my future - of my return to her loving arms and those of her son, Jesus?
Hope in tomorrow always brings with it inner strength. It gives purpose and meaning to our days, helps us to continue on the “right” path to accomplish what we set out to do. Scripture assures us of our future with God. Through His Word we are strengthened, enabling us to trust in the anticipation of eternal life. Just as all new
life on earth gives us a small glimpse of the joys we have to look forward to with our heavenly Father, we can
be assured of the new life Jesus has called us to; and no matter how weary our souls become, we are strengthened when we keep our focus on this. How good God is to us!
Lord, remind me of Your Word when my soul is weary, so that my hope in tomorrow is renewed!
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson