Harold or Hurl, as I called him, or Luck as my Dad did, was one of those fixtures that I remember seeing all the time but he was always doing something. The last time I saw him was at Aunt Patricia's house, having breakfast with my Dad.

If you had told me then that we would be here 2 years later I would not have believed you. At times like these we tend to go into autopilot. With so many things to do, things to get done, and the uncomfortable feelings that we want to avoid we allow the cliches to take over.

They are found in the words that we speak in moments like this.

• I am so sorry

• You have my condolences

• I am here for you if you need anything

• Let me know how I can help

Many words of comfort that are tossed out so much that they become cliche. Like a reflex, we say them without much thought.

For those that grieve, we accept them without really taking the time to understand what it is that is being offered.

Help.

That is what is needed so desperately in moments like this. Help!

• Strong arms of support

• Shoulders to cry on

• Soft hearts that share our losses

• Silent moments that are filled with connection

• Sounding boards to absorb the pain and returns love and wisdom

The book of Proverbs is called the Book of Wisdom. What wisdom does God speak in moments like this. In Chapter 18 verse 10 is give us this,

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe (Pr 18:10 ESV).

The tower of the Lord is where we find shelter in the midst of the storm. This is where we hunker down in the rough times. It is the staging ground that we prepare to venture out once the storm ends. It is a marker that we use to make sure that we traveling in the right direction. In Psalm 61:2b-4 we read this,

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of his wings! Selah (Ps 61:2–4 ESV).

Again we are reminded to take refuge in the tower of the Lord. To get to higher ground to get a better view of where you find yourself. I know I keep going back to the same idea but I promise I am going somewhere. I promise.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Ps 18:2 ESV).

Psalm 18:2 also shows the Lord as a fortress but it also reveals him as deliverer. Not just a stationary point but an active one. Not only does He shield us in the storm He has power to be heard in the midst of it.

Now what does all of this scripture mean for all of us gathered here? There are some of us here that need to find the peace and safety found in the tower of God. There are those that need direction as we begin to forge ahead in uncertain times without our familiar markers. There are those who need to be invited back to the tower to learn of what God has done.

In all of that we are called to be the hands and feet of God. Where hands can reach out and touch we need to do it. We need to slow down in these moments and hear what is being said. If there are any words of comfort I can give to my family it is to know that God is here for you and so am I.

What do you find yourself doing? Does it bring honor to our Heavenly Father?

Time moves fast?

What impact have I made with his precious gift of time?

Martha and Mary gives us an example of priorities

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:38-42‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God takes care of things. You do not have to be overly concerned with the things of the world.

“"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:25-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What are God's priorities for us?

Recognize God and what his sacrifice means

“"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” - John‬ ‭3:16-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Go and Do in His Power

“And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."” - ‭[Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭ESV]‬‬(http://bible.com/59/mat.28.18-20.esv)

What are the qualifications

1. Be saved
2. Have a story

Who should you talk to

1. Everyone who will listen

"There is no unemployment in the Kingdom of God, so get to work. "

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ESV)

Porque por gracia ustedes han sido salvados mediante la fe; esto no procede de ustedes, sino que es el regalo de Dios, (‭Efesios‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ NVI)

I had a moment yesterday to do some slow writing and had this float through my spirit. While looking over the above scripture I began to think about the true gift that God had given. Even the faith that I can exhibit is an outgrowth of the grace he has given to me. Here is what I wrote

Faith By Grace

Faith by grace alone Through Christ alone
Ensures we're not alone
Separated from God I'm Alone

Jesus saved me Jesus raised me
I am not dead
Because He is Alive

Though my sins be numerous, His sacrifice covers it all.