“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” –Romans 12:15

When I see this verse from Romans 12:15- immediately the LORD comes to mind. He is the One that rejoices with us, and weeps with us as we go through life. He is the consummate Friend and Protector, and our Almighty Abba Father. And the One who is there for every single second of our lives here on earth, and if we are faithful servants and followers – He will be there when we join Him in Eternity.

Life is a series of ups and downs.  A virtual collection of gains and losses.  We have good times, and good seasons. Ostensibly, we have bad times, and bad seasons.

We can gather great gains. We can suffer great losses. And in all honestly and reality, we wouldn’t be living if these things didn’t occur.  Because LIFE happens to be constantly changing, it doesn’t remain stagnant. If it did – then something is amiss. Because as the water flows, so does life. It swirls, it babbles, it creates waves, it can be placid. So, too are our patterns in life. It is ever moving-ever changing-ever flowing!

If we are fortunate, we get to see many different aspects of life. Including major milestones!  Our first birthday!  Our sweet 16!  Entering adulthood – 21st birthday a major one for me!  Then, if we are blessed- marriage, children – careers.  And each decade after that, we are in celebration of our life- thanks to the One who made it all possible.

When I lost my dad – 26 years ago. I literally had trouble breathing, I felt like I was suffocating. Like I was moving in slow motion. Like a living nightmare I was unable to awaken from.  But – with my siblings, and my beautiful beloved mom, family and friends – I got through the tragic and untimely death of my dad.  But the ONE that held me up, the entire time?  You got it and guessed it correctly – the LORD!

And He, my LORD wept along with me. He reminded me that I would see my dad again, and that my dad was with Him in heaven. And it brough great relief and comfort to my soul. His Words, His promises, and His Presence all provided soothing balm for my aching broken heart. And anyone who suffered the loss of a parent(s) or a loved one in general – can all relate to that feeling of anguish.

When my mom passed away on another one of my “milestone birthdays” – I was unable to breathe once again…and yet again -the LORD gave me breath from His heart and His love – and got me through it.  I recognized mom going home to heaven on my birthday as a gift. She had “delivered me” that very day (all those years ago!) and the LORD “delivered her” back home to His arms. So, consequently I’ve come to think of it as a blessing and a gift from the LORD.  

So – the verse I started this post with from Romans – is vital to our existence as Christians. Because when you meditate upon it, you will understand and feel the significance of those very words.  Throughout our lifetime, there will always be moments we share with family, friends, colleagues, that all together comprise many components of humanity.  That is to say -sadness, happiness, gains, losses, and seasons of joy, and seasons of happiness. And at times, season of stillness.  The critically important thing in all of these moments is to remember, that our LORD is with us through it all!  And that is what matters. Because with HIM we can survive and go on.

When we cling to Him and hold His hand as He guides us throughout our lifetime and aspire to do all according to His will and purpose in our lives, we will be able to LIVE a LIFE worth LIVING!

Yes!

“Father, God -thank You for holding our hand through it all – good times and bad, we love You always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

^“… teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)