Dear Ones,
Hope you have a wonderful weekend. We had a large group for Bible study yesterday and afterwards some of us went to the
 party next door. Two more parties next week!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
I read an article by Shelly Esser, who is editor of my favorite magazine, Just Between Us, and she wrote about “chronic sorrow” which is a new term to me. Sociologist Simon coins it as “a grief response to a non-death-related loss, something ongoing that forever alters the course of your life.” We might think of it as a living loss in our lives, that we continually grieve and has changed our life forever.

We probably all know friends who dreamed of spending their senior years traveling, but now have chronic illnesses that limit them to be housebound. There are also those whose spouse has Alzheimer’s, needing constant watching and care. Parents’ lives can be forever changed by a child born with disabilities. Others know the heartache of a family member fighting addiction. We all have had dreams of our what our life would be like. When it all changes suddenly, we may experience sorrow and heaviness of heart that lingers just below the surface and doesn’t go away.

Shelly gives ways that have worked for her to navigate through her losses that may help us or those we love. Just as she found strength in God’s promises, we can hang on to key scriptures. Sometimes we may need to go to a counselor who can help us deal with our pain, process it and renew our hope. Sometime we can just take time for a break and do something we enjoy, even if it is just a cup of coffee with an understanding friend. We can look for things that make us laugh. We can also share our burden with a trusted friend who will bring encouragement. Of course, we can be honest with God and pour our hearts out before Him as David did often. Psalm 62:8 says, “Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.” Shelly also suggests letting God use our sorrow to help others, and He may meet our needs at the same time. Another good way is to practice gratitude and give thanks in whatever is happening, for He is with us. He fully understands all that we will ever go through.

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to be present in your sorrows, and let Him strengthen you and give you hope.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy