more sadness, by lora

Sadness is around us. The last half-year has been full of it. Does Jesus care?

As part of the “sandwich generation” I’ve felt “soul weight” as Alzheimer’s takes over my mother’s mind and emotions. She just turned 71, and though the disease progress has been gradual, our father is already bent sometimes under the burden. We’ve made difficult decisions about guardianship and her health care. Oh, this hurts.

My friend Liz is going through a profound phase with her dad, who is failing physically but not peacefully into more dependency on his children and others. Childhood wounds resurface; the pain is real. Such challenges!

Many have lost life partners. Two couples I think of with children ranging in age from middle-school to college-age. Dean was a hard-working, loving husband and joyous father. His widow had to return to their shared work place where he will no longer surprise her by bounding around the corner, making her smile. Now he is gone. So sad!

Valerie was the cornerstone in her family, homeschooling her three children against all odds. She was a can-do woman, honored her husband and always had a cheerful attitude – to the point that most of her friends didn’t realize how sick she really was. Now her husband is alone to finish raising their teens. Alone.

My dad visited his friend daily, chose to miss out on family Christmas gatherings knowing he would only have Jim a little while, that his friend needed him at this difficult time. Jim was a Job, ready to die and not sure why life went on for him. My dad (really quite a macho man) held his hand, sat with him and stayed for hours. Now only memories remain of his dear friend. Jim rests in peace, yet there is still sadness.

Last night I came home late to a quiet, sleeping house. A message on the answering machine. Enough said for me to know, another loss, another dear saint laid to rest – leaving her mourning husband and grown sons behind. Oh, Lord, so much sadness! Why so much sadness? I’m certain it will only come closer to me, in time!! How to bear it!?

Within moments, God’s assurance came to my heart by way of a certain hymn. I settled into sleep with that tune, and woke up with His continued assurance. “Does Jesus care? … Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.” (hymn 181) Oh, God is so good. Praise Him for His constant, unfailing care! When life is too heavy to carry, He carries it with us. He sustains; He keeps; He provides. May we choose God as our helper!

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7