Last night, I was able to spend time with many friends as we all got together to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Her birthday was in December but she wasn’t able to celebrate because on that day, sadly, her parent’s house burned down. She lost many treasures, but most importantly, she lost many cards that she had received from family and friends over the years. My friends decided that this is not okay and we all got together yesterday to celebrate her and her presence in our lives, as well as to give her cards of encouragement and Walmart gift cards (to help her start her life over). While it was an absolutely wonderful time that centered around rejoicing rather than mourning, I saw a beautiful picture of the body of Christ. Friends gathered around their friend and praised God for what happened and how it has encouraged us all to be thankful for everything we have.
It reminds me of the book of Job, when, in verse 8 of chapter 1, Christ asked Satan “Have you considered my servant Job”? Satan was determined to prove that Job would renounce Christ if he took all of his possessions and his family, but was surprised when Job turned around and said “The Lord has given and has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised” (v. 21).
I could not imagine what it would be like to lose your home, your memories, and your life. But what I pray is that I would respond the same way my friend did, with songs of thanksgiving. God has chosen to bestow so many blessings on me and my family but I am now reminded that God could take it away. It is all his. But what I saw on my friends face was that if everything else was stripped away, she would still have her savior, who she is utterly in love with. No one can take that away from us. Thank you God for being enough!
Lastly, I was so comforted to see the church rise up and take care of one of its own. This is exactly what Christ meant when he said “But God has combined the members of the body… so that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:24-26). I am so blessed to be a part of this body.
God has used this verse to comfort me recently and I hope it helps you as well:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”- Matthew 11:28-30
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