You Don't Walk This Road Alone

You, who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.

—Jeremiah 8:18 NIV

I told you yesterday, Daddy, that your sister had passed away in the early morning hours. You were coherent and understood. You remained calm and even wanted me to call your wife. I thought you were handling the news better than I had anticipated, but then I noticed that you were struggling to breathe. Tears poured down your face. Your heart was breaking into pieces right before me. In that moment I knew your grief and felt your helplessness.

The nurse brought medicine to ease your mind. Our friend, Rachel, came and prayed for you. And prayer brought the Comforter. He came in your sorrow when your heart was faint and torn.  He came in a gentle whisper of love that promised restful sleep in a moment which was more than you could handle. He was with you as breathing eased and heart settled. He held your hand and stroked your cheek.

Your Comforter is with you, Daddy, in your grief—in whatever you face—in whatever lies ahead. Even though you may feel alone, you aren’t. He is with you in each thing that we do for you. He is with you in the laughs we share, the tears we shed, and the moments of your life that are slowly fading away. Always there for you, He guides you through times which could destroy if not for what we both know. I will remind you of that three word sentence you miraculously wrote one night when nothing around you made any sense. God is love, Daddy. We won’t let you forget it. You don’t walk this road alone.

© 2017 Lynn Lacher