My father passed away
suddenly when I was fifteen, and well I remember the stunned disbelief of
family and friends at the loss of a vibrant, gifted husband and dad. In my
memory, the funeral was surreal and muted; the still, pale figure in the
coffin could not be the man I knew. My grandmother, grieving, bent over to
kiss his cheek and murmur, "Good bye, dear". Even all these years later, my
eyes fill with tears with the feelings of loss, for he left a void space in
our family that nothing could ever fill. And yet, our family, his
co-workers, neighbours and friends pulled together, the feelings of
helplessness and sorrow carried on all our shoulders.
What of the terrible distance now between us and the ones who have died of
the virus? What of the victims of the mass shootings in Nova Scotia, Canada,
and the Canadian military personnel lost in the helicopter accident over the
Ionian Sea? What of the similar happenings all over the world? The pandemic
has forced the grieving apart, for gatherings at funerals are prohibited,
and the presence of family to comfort and stand together is no longer there
to buffer the waves of sadness and loss. And what of our elderly parents in
care facilities, separated by windows, masks and gloves from their loved
ones? How do we bear witness to the tragedies, the loneliness, and to the
kindness of caregivers who hold their hands when we cannot?
I am reminded of the cloud of witness in Hebrews: "Therefore, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every
weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of
our faith." (Hebrews 12:1-2a ESV) This great cloud of faithful men and women
have gone before us and we, though in sorrow, are witness to their faith and
endurance in everything they have experienced and lived through. Now we too
run the race with endurance and commitment, being urged to be steady and not
to turn aside from the course. Our great example is Jesus Himself, who is
with us as the race starts, continues, and at life’s ending.
Though we ache for those who are devastated in our country and abroad, and
support them with our words and prayers, the world also watches our own
faith and conduct. We train our eyes on Jesus, not the cloud of witnesses
or the sins that cling so closely, but to Him who gives us joy, life,
encouragement and guidance. In our journey on this good earth, "I am sure
of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at
the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6 ESV)
Shirley Moulton
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.