He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 1:21
Twice a year I am overcome with intense sadness. If things had happened differently, perhaps I'd feel more joy - yet it is difficult.
July 7, 1975 was the day my daughter was born. At midnight on January 19/20, 2005, her life was taken from her, as well as the life of her unborn child. They say that the death of a child is one of the most difficult life events to process. From experience, I'd say it is.
Knowing how she left this world brings pain. That one human being can purposely take the life of another is unfathomable to me.
I had written a song shortly before the death of one of my best friends. Howard Tetrock who died of cancer. Little did I dream I'd be singing the same song at the funeral of my daughter.
Some days the idea of death haunts our family. It can seem bleak and frightening. With my husband's cancer and my own sometimes frail health, I continually need to reframe the way I view death. That is what this song was about.
Years before, I had read a poem that was written by an, at the time, unknown author. The words evolved into the framework of a song. Today, few of the poet's words remain in the lyrics, but the point is the same.
I am posting the song, via a YouTube video as today's devotional. This is one devotional I am doing for me - yet I pray you can find some comfort in the words as well.
This one's for you, Jamie. I love you.
Mama
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Amen!
(If you have problems viewing the video via email the link is here.)