After a little bit I began to remember how many other times in life I felt like an outcast. Didn’t quite fit in, wasn’t invited, didn’t feel a part of … You fill in the blank. Have you ever felt like an outcast? Here’s what God’s word says about it. Psalms 147:2-5 He gathers together the outcasts of Israel ( and every other place… I’m adding) He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name (YOUR NAME GOES HERE). Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.

Love that … Read it again if you need to…..

He heals the brokenhearted, ( that means there is HOPE) He binds up their wounds,( His love covers it all) He is mighty ( all power is in HIM) and He understands. His understanding is infinite.( He gets it and there is no end to Him getting it).

What more could you ask? You are NOT an OUTCAST…..

Last night in my grief share class I heard a story about moving forward. How to move when you feel so stuck. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one you know how HARD this step can be. It’s especially hard when so many around you are telling you they think it’s time for you to move on. ( I often wonder what they really mean by that)

In our lesson this guy had lost his wife, He was crippled by the idea of moving forward and he was struggling with what to do. BUT then he explained…He said if you just MOVE ON then it’s as if your leaving your loved one behind but if you move FORWARD then your taking them with you. AS simple as that sounds, it was PROFOUND. Everything changes. Your compass begins to come into focus. For those who have lost a loved one this point in grief seems to be one of the hardest. Knowing that your heart is still broken but your trying to find a way to trust GOD for the HOPE of a new normal… Trusting HIM for a glimpse at the future. Moving Forward.

There is great Grief because of Great Love. There is comfort in knowing that truth. There is no time frame to be OVER losing someone who changed you, who made you be a better person, who was always in your corner. There is no right or wrong way to recover. It’s when you look down at your compass and begin to take a few little steps and you know that you are simply moving forward. The arms on the dial are spinning.

How many times in your life have you come to the end of the road and wondered what to do? Did you gain strength from the things your life has taught you? Did you locate a compass that said, “go this way”. What did you use to get back on track? To make the right turn? Did your heart beat fast in the moving forward.? God is the only COMPASS that we have. He says,” I am the light and the way”. He promises to be your guide. In his word it says, Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; Your rod and Your staff, ( and your compass- I added) they comfort me…….

I hope that IF you are at the end of a ROAD today ( from what ever life has brought your way) that you will find the COMPASS that heals, restores and gives great HOPE for your journey.

There is a heart wrenching point to this story. As we were leaving Miskellys my son says, “follow me”. I did. we pulled out and he turned onto Hwy. 80 and then made that left hand turn heading straight out to the airport . ( to get over to lakeland drive where the food was) The moment we turned I began to feel my body tense up, my mouth got dry and my heart began to race. There it was….. the exit ramp to the airport. I could see the roundabout and the long tree covered entrance to the departure curb. The very place i had dropped Dennis off and picked him up for 23 years. It was as if my car was PULLING ME. Pulling me towards the exit. It was overwhelming. I began to just cry my eyes out. I began to see his face that last trip we made. I saw him standing there telling me for the last time how much he loved me. It was the last place I saw him alive. I wanted to GO there. I thought, GOSH how many first can there still be. This one was so unexpected and overwhelming. It felt as if another little piece of my heart broke off today so I came home emotionally tired from the inside out. I knew I had to find comfort in HIS WORD. I found comfort in Psalms 31:3-4 it says “For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your names’s sake, Lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for YOU ARE MY STRENGTH. ” This net for me is the grief monster. He continues to raise his little head but GOD continues to HOLD ME with his RIGHT hand and lift me up. I have to believe that IN all this HE is guiding me, growing me and teaching me that HE IS ENOUGH. He is pulling me in alittle closer to HIM. Have you been pulled lately? Is there something that is chipping away at your heart? Allow HIM to PULL YOU IN……