Help for the Hurting

by Brenda Black

In tragedy and grief, we come together as a community to both share and bear the weight of walking through it rightly. We do our level best to say kind things and to demonstrate loving actions. All the while, we wrestle with insufficiency and second guess our good intentions. Is there ever truly a right response? Is silence the best choice? Yes...and no to both questions. There is no perfect plan in the midst of grief. There are just humans trying to offer comfort and peace any way they know how. And therein lies the greatest challenge: we don't know what to say or do to make it better.

Accepting that reality may well provide opportunity for the greatest acts of sympathy. For when we don't have the eloquence nor vocabulary, all we can offer is love, respect and understanding.

A community expresses love often in the face of tragedy, by eagerly extending generosity. From prayers to proceeds, sometimes all folks can do is just do something.

Respect and understanding are a little harder to handle. According to grief.com, a few of the best ways to demonstrate true concern begin with admitting you simply may not know what to say. “I wish I had the right words, just know I care.” “I don't know how you feel, but I am here to help anyway I can.” Saying nothing or just offering a hug speaks volumes. Above all, the best way we can offer support is to call on the only One who truly understands and go to God in prayer.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” Psalm 34:18. The peace He brings is unparalleled and so incredibly powerful at times like this. His touch is tender. His comfort is complete. His love is what is needed most – for the grieving and the consoling. For His love is perfect and in our weakness, He proves Himself strong, and closer than ever.

Merciful and faithful Lord, because of Your great love, we are not consumed, for Your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. God, You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Help us to not fear, though the earth seems to give way and a mountainous weight presses down on our aching hearts. Though waters of grief roar and in our shaken state, we feel like the ground beneath our feet quakes, we will be still and know that You are God. You, Lord Almighty, are with us. You are our fortress. (Lam. 3:22-23; Ps. 41:1-2, 10-11)

©201 The Word's Out-Brenda Black

Flight Attendant

By Brenda Black

The airline attendant ushered the pale and trembling young woman down the aisle of the plane. At 33,000 feet in the air, she weaved her way to an empty seat just across from me, where the stewardess cooly motioned for her to take a seat. In her hands, the weary woman gripped a paper sack that matched her pasty complexion. And everything changed that moment on the plane, headed from DC to North Carolina.

While a dark-haired lady to the woman's left pressed herself into the window and never acknowledged her same-row visitor, I reached across the aisle and patted the back of the 20-something, expectant mother. She sheepishly turned her head up and glanced slightly toward me, afraid to leave that little bag of safety. She ventured, “I don't think the baby likes to fly.” Then she resumed position, shoulders rolled forward, head bent and one hand braced against the back of the seat in front of her, while the other pressed the plane's standardized equipment against her quivering lips.

For the next several minutes, I tried to soothe the fear, embarrassment and discomfort of my new charge. I tried to get her mind on other things through quiet, small talk. I rubbed her back and handed her yet another bag. She wore a spaghetti strap, next-to-nothing blouse and finished her not-so-winterized outfit with flip flops on her feet. The tattoos on her arm grew bluer black while what little pink she had rushed its way to freezing fingers and toes. I'm pretty sure the piercing in her nose echoed a metallic ring as hard as she shook from being so cold. When she began to shiver uncontrollably, I took my coat and draped it over her exposed shoulders.

Once again, she gazed upwards with gratitude beyond measure. “Thank you so much,” she weakly said. And I felt at a loss for words. All that I could do was pray for this lonely, afraid, very sick and desperate woman who looked more and more like a little girl.

I tell this story not for self edification. I tell it because that encounter opened my eyes to the human condition that seems more and more prevalent. People are desperate. Many are indifferent. A few are compassionate. Which are you?

What would you do if someone in need were placed at your elbow? Would you cling to the window, cover your nose and never offer a kind word like the woman in the window seat? Or would you offer a friendly gesture, be a knight in shining armor, an angel in disguise, a friend in deed?

This time I got it right and I lovingly reached out and offered comfort to a stranger. But a million times in my life, I've failed.

The reward for taking the time to show tenderness came from a young lady named Camie. When I exited the plane, a warmed and calmer young mother looked up and smiled and said, “Thank you for your kindness.” And everything changed that moment on the plane, headed from DC to North Carolina.

Post Election Relief

By Brenda Black

By the time this column is published, we may or may not have elected a new president. Just one day prior to the big day, political pundits predicted corruption and a contested outcome. Frankly, the campaign has made me nauseous. That our country became so dismantled and divided in a few short, but excruciating four years, is hard to imagine. Unfortunately this is not just a fleeting nightmare. It is a reality born, fed and reared on selfishness and ignorance.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power...” (2 Timothy 3:1-5a)

Wow! Sounds like campaign ads and rude debates. Sounds like platforms and stump speeches. Sounds like people who have wandered far from truth. The proud and abusive have redistributed unearned wealth to themselves and unmerited revenge on everyone else. Blind, willful ignorance, void of godly discernment, has become the new “common” sense. It all sounds like trouble and feels like heartache and it makes me sick!

People who take and take, but never contribute will suck the life out of this nation. Leaders who shame us and fail to defend us will destroy America from within and without. Projected results paint a dismal picture as election day comes to an end, yet one thing seems certain. A country that will not acknowledge the supreme authority of God will face judgment no matter who claims the title POTUS.

On the UP side, I also know, regardless the outcome, my God is still sovereign. He is faithful and undisturbed. Now that's relief for the heart burn I've been feeling! Remember, God is in control!

“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:15-23)

No human can thwart God's majesty nor undermine His authority. “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord...But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Tim. 1:8-10)

It seems to me most logical to depend more on a God who conquered death than on any mortal man. “...I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” (2 Tim. 1:12b)

The power of a resurrected Christ and the supreme authority of the Almighty God overshadows everything else. I don't understand it all, but I do believe that we are living in unprecedented times and the Lord is coming soon. His church better be ready and be watching. And it's about time for a REVIVAL in this country, the likes of which I've never seen. It would be nice to see people truly hungry for God and flocking to the Lord's House to worship Him. Having served in ministry for 27 years, I'd certainly like to witness people more desperate for God. If that takes getting uncomfortable with this world, then I think we might have a fighting chance of seeing more souls saved and Christ's glorious return. And that, my friends is truly Good News.

If you need some post election relief, turn to the Savior of the World to find your peace.

Copyright 2012 The Word's Out - Brenda Black

Sheltered by Faith

By Brenda Black

Some in our little country congregation have traveled near and far and returned safely home to the rural community where I live. Some endured sudden storms this past week that left damaged property, but no injuries. Some have braved medical tests and learned good news and some are thankful for just one more day. In all of these circumstances, God moved.

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7)

Deliverance comes in a host of forms, from traveling mercies to supernatural healing. The Lord covers, sustains, removes, rejuvenates. He leads, protects, grants wisdom or endurance. And sometimes bad things happen, people get sick or possessions get ruined. Still, God Almighty partners with us when we place our trust in Him, no matter the situation. Godly fear is the beginning of wisdom; wisdom is steeped in learning to lean.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The harder the winds of this world blow in our face, the more we have to live by faith! The disciples had to learn that same lesson with an up-close encounter with nature when they were overcome by a raging storm. “A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger...He [Jesus] got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided and all was calm. 'Where is your faith?' he asked his disciples.'” (Luke 8:23b-25)

The story concludes that “In fear and amazement they asked one another, 'Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.'” (Lk 8:25)

In order to truly follow a God who is all powerful, we have to first fear Him reverently. Honestly, I am repulsed by the lack of God-awe these days. We regard Him as a sugar daddy prayer buddy. We worship Him only if we win the lottery. We blaspheme His holy name and defend ungodly behavior. This mixed up world takes punches at the King of Kings and Lord of Lords without apology and packages it in blog rants and comedic monologues on late-night t.v. We shamelessly promote sin and categorize righteousness as bigotry. The foolishness of men is evidenced in a thousand ways through our arrogance, self-righteousness, indifference and independence! Such denial of God's magnanimous sovereignty is stupid at best; eternally damning at worst. The prolific disregard for our Creator causes me to wonder just how much longer will He tarry. A day of reckoning is coming.

Before the disciples were fully convinced of Jesus' amazing wind and water taming, at least they already called Him Master. “The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Master, Master, we're going to drown!'” (Lk 8:24)

Until we see God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit with faith-filled, humble eyes, we are sunk! But, in reliance on God and a belief in the power of the Resurrected Christ, we muster the courage to face whatever blasts into our life or is torn from it. Only Jesus truly calms our storms. So trust and do not fear. God is near when we need Him most, if we would just believe.

The divide between those who call Him Lord and those who ignore His mighty power grows wider every day. So, I'm compelled to ask: When the storms blow your direction, are you going to go through them without protection? Or will you be covered in calm, with Christ as your shelter?

copyright 2012 The Word's Out - Brenda Black