Friday 10 April 2015

Words in the margins

Hi Marcia,
I wrote this email last week, but I wasn't sure if I should send it. I have to honestly say that I do not have a lot of experience walking along side someone who is in deep mourning. You want to be helpful and encouraging, but it is not always clear what you should or should not do or say. So, I have decided to share the email with you in the hope that it will be helpful. We love you deeply.
J.P.

       D
ear Marcia,
I am often deeply touched and inspired by the words underlined and written by Carlin in the margins of Charles Spurgeon's devotional book. There are reflections of his thoughts and indications of what captured his attention among the many ideas shared.
On April 10th, I see prophetic words, perhaps the last Carlin wrote in the book. These words are a beautiful promise from Jesus and speak of a loving Lord who walks with us. I know that these words must be deeply treasured as they speak of faithful assurance. The Lord's promises are true and they are full of blessing for those who love Him. I know that one day, each of us will have a chance to walk away with Him. Oh what a glorious day that will be. Our Father in heaven is full of loving-kindness, mercy and grace.
2 Corinthians 1:3 tells us that blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Your story about meeting the woman at the garage is such a beautiful testimony to this truth.
I pray that we will be able to serve in the fullness of all that we experience in life, both in joy and suffering, and that we will be able to bring Him glory in all that we do.
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the whole earth to strengthen the hearts of those who are fully committed to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)
May the Lord bless you and keep you and turn His face towards you and give you peace.
Love,
J.P.

Thursday 9 April 2015

One Year Ago

Dear Marcia,
We’ve noticed on our calendar that it’s approaching a year since your lover, Carlin, and our friend, was taken from you and us to live forever with Jesus, the One he loved and served so enthusiastically.
What can we say, we’ve no experience to share that’s even close to what you’ve experienced for the past year. This last 18 month journey you’ve had to make on your own.
All of us, who love you dearly, have done what we could, to show our love and share your sorrow; however, your journey you’ve had to make mostly on your own. The quiet meals, the silent evenings, the empty bed beside you you’ve suffered alone. Only a loving God, who suffered the loss of His Son can really understand and say words of comfort to your heart and soul. He too suffered alone.
I’ve just read the devotional message our Mel gave to a couple who grew up in his church in Prince George. This couple, Murray and Rebecca, buried their 10 day old baby a few days ago, who died of a congenital malformation of her brain blood circulation. Mel and LaDonna drove from Edmonton to Prince George to speak at the memorial service. At our request he forwarded his notes to us. I’d like to share a small bit of his devotional with you. He spoke from Psalm 86.
Psalm 86:11-16  "Teach me Your way, Yahweh, and I will live by Your truth.  Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name. 12 I will praise You with all my heart, Lord my God, and will honor Your name forever.
13 For Your faithful love for me is great, and You deliver my life from the depths of Sheol. 14 God, arrogant people have attacked me; a gang of ruthless men seeks my life.  They have no regard for You.
15 But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth.  16 Turn to me and be gracious to me.  Give Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your female servant."


"Murray and Rebecca, we want to tell you that what we see in you is that you are not just wanting God to do something for you … you are desiring in this journey to learn from him so that you can become like him – Teach me your way … you are making a commitment, even in the face of this tough journey, to not allow yourself to develop a divided mind.   It is on the basis of that commitment that David asks God for one thing … Give your strength to your servant.”  And that, our dear friends, is perhaps the best way to summarize what we are praying for you today … and as you move forward … Lord, give your strength to these your dear servants. 
We cannot say it better. Allow me to change the last line of Mel’s devotional for you: "Lord, give Your strength to our dear Marcia, your dear servant."
With our love,
George and Kay

Tuesday 7 April 2015

A year without Carlin

Hello Marcia.
I have thought many times of you and Carlin this past year. Today I went searching for your email address and recalled that Joy Locken had sent it to me last year. I also had the blog address and read your recent entry. I was pleased that you shared your heart. Hopefully others will see it and continue to lift up your family to the Lord.
 
In our day we move on from event to event with such speed that we forget about the continuing impact of losses, accidents, tragedies of all kinds. Maybe we don't forget but we are so drawn into the next event that no time is given to really reflect on what has happened and how it affects "the survivors" - the ones who remain with memories and who struggle to face life in a new dimension. I think your comments were "right on". God, who gives us the faculty of memory also sustains us by helping us recall, not just what we have lost but also what we still have.
 
Carlin and I were good friends at Briercrest and I am confident that we would have become better friends if our lives had been more "entwined". Given the opportunity I am sure we would have "spurred one another on toward love and good deeds". Many years ago we had lunch together in Vancouver and I recall his pleasure in recounting that his children and grandchildren "loved Jesus". This was his heart (and yours too), to see succeeding generations follow the Lord. He did his part well and now you are left to love and lead them alone. May you have great joy (amidst the sorrow) as you build into your grandchildren's lives in the years ahead. There is no greater pleasure for old people like us!
 
I have marked in my calendar to pray for you on the 19th. Your name is beside Sarah, my oldest granddaughter who returns from Israel that day after 3 months in "on site studies". How exciting to see them "fly higher" than we ever dreamed possible. May your delights be just as refreshing.
 
Sincerely
 
Wayne Attwood
Muriel Attwood