I was doing just fine until that moment I was not.

Have you ever been there? Life is flowing – small bumps – daily struggles and successes – and then…

The wonderful part is even in the and then God isn’t surprised. He isn’t caught off guard – stressed  – gnashing His teeth – or calling a meeting with His executive teams.

Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in Spirit.“

Losing someone you love alters your life. It is just the way it is. And nothing will be the same again because of the loss. One moment everything is fine and the next they are gone. And in the frenzy of funeral arrangements, family arriving, friends and casseroles, there is the comfort of time stopping. Reality takes a backseat and for a few days nothing is normal. And that’s a good thing.

But then Monday morning comes. You find yourself sitting at the Drive-Thru at McDonald’s ordering coffee and a biscuit and the reality of just how your life will never be the same hits.

God is close to the brokenhearted. He knows how we are feeling and as only a Good Father can do, comforts us. He brings into our lives others who understand exactly how we are feeling. And somehow, while life is never the same, it becomes a different normal again.

Grief takes time. It sheds tears. It gets angry. It feels alone at times and at other times it feels surrounded by love. It smiles again. It enjoys the sun once more…all in time.

It is the Divine Hope of the Lord Who holds and comforts us through every moment until we are able to move forward again.

I challenge you to reach out to God. He is an ever-present, loving, forgiving, supportive Father. Whatever you are going through today – however life finds you as you read this devotion – know that God is for you. You only need to reach out to Him.