PATHWAY TO HIS PRESENCE
B.J. FUNK
I recently returned from a trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico where I spent some time with a dear friend who lost her husband to the dreaded disease of Alzheimer’s. Each of you knows something about pain. No one escapes those things that bring severe hurt to us physically, mentally, or emotionally. And it seems that no matter what kind of pain we have been through, we can always find someone else who has been through at least a similar or even a worse pain.
The key to all of our pains is to be connected to the source of strength, Jesus Christ. Since we cannot avoid pain, and it’s sure to come to all of us from time to time, we want to have living water flowing through us at all times so we can react with faith and hope.
My good friend in New Mexico has scriptures all over her home … on the walls, on tables, everywhere I looked there were signs that told me her source of strength. My suggestion is for each of us to have signs of biblical encouragement everywhere in our homes. You don’t have to spend any money for this. Just write some of your favorite verses on a few index cards and place them at strategic spots in your home, at places where you stop frequently, like the kitchen sink. Each time you stop at that place, it will be a gift of grace for you, a moment when your heart of pain or your body of pain will receive a bit of encouragement.
Grace will meet you at every stop when you take time to remember Bible verses that will get you through your day. Have a wonderful day of grace.
The Rev. B.J. Funk is associate pastor of Central UMC in Fitzgerald. Email her at bjfunk@bellsouth.net.
