My Heart Aches

I will always praise the Lord for a brand new day, however today is a day where my heart is troubled.

As I sit at my desk while Sofia sleeps and Malachi is away attending a funeral my spirit stirs. My husband heard the news last week of a fellow co-worker/friend that had died. His friend was vacationing in Florida. He and his family were at the beach when his niece had become caught in an under current. If any of you know anything about the beach this happens more times than anyone would like to count. Malachi's friend and his father rushed out to save the little girl and in the end all three persons drowned. What a horrible loss for a family to have to face.

When Malachi came home and told me of the sad news, the first thing that I asked was “Did they know the Lord?”. Malachi said that he had shared his faith with this young man once before but wasn't sure of his salvation. So that night we prayed that this young man, his father and niece would have come to know the Lord in those last few moments of life.

So this morning as Malachi attends the funeral my heart aches for this family and their loss. I pray that my husband can keep it together and that the Lord would place an opportunity to share his faith with one who may be lost today.

When a loved one, friend, or acquaintance passes away suddenly my heart can only hope they knew Jesus as their Saviour. It is in these times that the longing to share my faith with as many people as I can becomes heightened. I must say that we all should feel this way all the time, not just in times of loss.

As our days go by and we get into a routine of passing through this life, we sometimes forget “our purpose”. We are to be beckons of light to a dark and lost world. We are to spread the Gospel to every nation. Your “nation” may be lost family members, friends, co-workers, or the lady that checks you out at the grocery store. We don't have to strap up and journey to foreign countries to fulfill the Great Commission! (Matthew 28: 16-20) There are lost people, or what I call, “The Walking Dead”, all around us and we encounter them everyday!

A friend of ours, Matt Slick, creator of Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM), wrote this in conclusion to his article on “The Great Commission”---

“Jesus wants you to finish what He began. He came to the disciples, taught them, and worked with them. He then died on the cross and rose from the dead. But, before He ascended into heaven, He gave them, and us, the commission to convert the world. He will not ask you to do the impossible.
You need to know that your efforts to honor Christ by obeying His call to make disciples of all nations is something that you can do. Do it where you are, with those whom you meet, with the those you work with, with those you go to school with, etc. Be a witness for Jesus in your lives and when necessary, talk about Him, too.
When seeking to accomplish God’s will, He will bless your efforts because you’re seeking to obey Him.”

Malachi and I can only hope that this young man, his father and niece met the Lord and were welcomed into Heaven. Let us always remember “why” we are here. Let us also always be ready to speak the Truth about Jesus Christ no matter where we are or what we are pre-occupied with.

Serving God and My Family,
Crystal <>< (SAHM)