Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:5-7 (NLT)
5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is near.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

We’re leaving for CO to complete the burial of Kathryn. The family is gathering as we close out the physical part of this process of saying goodbye to our daughter, sister, mother. Soaring high in the midst of great grief is very contrarian, but those who trust in the Lord will find new strength….

Remember the Lord is near. Those words offer comfort and more. The more we remember the Lord is near – always near – the more we realize that we’re grieving alone, that we’ve pushed God aside so we can take center stage. Maybe I should be saying “I” instead of “we”, but I don’t think so.

Mark 10:21 (NLT)
21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Give up your possessions and follow me. Give up yourself and follow me. Let me into your life to my rightful place and you’ll find new strength in me. This is how life is supposed to work, even in a death that no one ever wants see. This is a physical death. There are emotional deaths too. There are still other times we feel the desperate need to get closer to God.

Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will not grow weary or faint. They will be strong in the promises, the redemptive power, and the love of Christ.

Remember, I am near Christ tells us. Don’t worry, my peace will guard your heart and mind Christ tells us.

Remember, the Lord is near.