A New Some Place

I attended the funeral service of a young woman who is the sister of a dear friend of ours. She was a beautiful Christian girl. I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but my husband grew up with her and her brother and his memories are fond.

I am heavy hearted today. Even though we know she is with the Lord this very moment, it's hard sometimes to find the joy when a young person passes.

You just don't realize how much you love someone until you see them hurting either physically or emotionally. It's difficult to want so badly to somehow just wipe it away for them and make it like it never happened. We certainly wish we could do that for our friend and his family today.

We know that God is good all the time. He knows our every need. It's so easy to forget that when times are dark, but praise God-His word is true even in the darkest moments. ESPECIALLY in the darkest moments.

We will certainly be praying for this family in the many days, weeks, and months ahead. Those are surely to be the most difficult.

I am so proud of this little community...my little "New Some Place." They don't hesitate to turn out by the hundreds when one of their own is in need. It really is a family.

I couldn't help but thinking today, as I stood just two feet from that tent, two of my family members on my right, and two of my close friends on my left: this will be me some day. This will be ALL of us some day.

Just as certain as we all took a first breath, we will take a last. I am so thankful that Jesus saw fit to pay the price for my unworthy soul. I am so thankful that my home is not this world, and that the best part of my existance is yet to come!

One of my favorite songs was sung at the service today. It's the Chris Tomlin version of Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone). I think I will close my post for today with the lyrics of that song.

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

The sun forbear to shine

But God, Who called me here below

Will be forever mine

Will be forever mine

You are forever mine