Series: Always Relevant: God Is…
Matthew 26:36-38 MSG
Revelation 21:4 AMP

Sometimes my soul is dolorous.
Matthew 26:36-38 tells us, “Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, “Stay here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, “This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me.”
Even Jesus was filled with agonizing sorrow.
We’ve all experienced dolorous moments.
I watched my Mom when my dad was told his cancer had gone to his liver. The year was 1987. Nothing could be done.
She knew nothing could be done but in the two months that followed she did absolutely everything she could do to make my dad’s last days as comfortable as possible.
My dad did not linger.
In those last months he prayed. I believe he prayed for those who would remain.
I believe he prayed for my Mother.
I believe he prayed for his children.
I believe he prayed for his grandchildren.
He wasn’t thinking of himself. He was filled with agonizing sorrow but he knew he was going to a glorious place. When he was filled with sorrow he was praying for those of us who would suffer in the days and months after he was gone.
My Mother said she would never ever marry again because letting go of my dad was too sorrowful…too painful. They met after the war in 1946 and married in 1948. She could imagine marrying again in her sixties.
Then one day a man started going to the same singles group she attended. My Mom is an extrovert and she loves people. That group gave her a whole new family of friends. They traveled together, they ate together, and they loved. When someone new came to the group who had suffered a loss, they loved them.
The new man who came to the singles group had lived six blocks from where I grew up. He had one son who died tragically in an accident just before he graduated from high school. His wife had been very ill and he took care of her until she died.
That man saw my Mom’s strength and fortitude and he was drawn to her.
He pursued her with a vengeance (as they say).
It took time but he did eventually convince her to marry again.
They had twelve years together and they were good years.
Then he became very ill and she took care of him.
He did not linger. He knew he was going to a wonderful place where there was no more sorrow.
In Revelation 21:4, John wrote, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away.”
He knew his body and mind would be forever healed.
He ran toward God because he knew his sorrow and anguish would be healed. He believed he would see his son and his first wife again.
My Mom took care of him till the end. He passed in 2007.
She was single again. She grieved again.
My Mom recently had a birthday. She turned 95. She’s still the strongest woman I know.
I told her I am planning her centennial birthday party.
She laughs and tells me, “well, all of that is in God’s hands. Just know if Jesus comes to me today I will take His hand.”
My Mom is my oldest friend. I know when the time is right letting go will be very difficult. I also know when that time comes my children will surround and cover me.
All of my children are praying people. They are my tribe. Right now there are sixteen people in my tribe. There are four children, four spouses that I adopted, and eight grandchildren. I say “right now” because I know my tribe will eventually grow.
So while life has times of great sorrow, there are also times filled with great joy.
We have the promise that every tear will be no more. There will be no more anguish or sorrow. There will be no more crying or pain.
So, live and love and when sorrow comes sit with God and Jesus will heal you.
Spiritual Practice: Sorrow
Consider the sorrow you’ve experienced and know God will heal everything.
In God, Deborah
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