I received terrible news from a very close friend today.  My heart is breaking for the entire family.  This is for you, precious Johnson Family…I love you with all my heart…

I can’t see you, Jesus

The tears are in the way

My throat constricted by the pain

So I can’t even pray

My faith is hanging by a string

Threatening to unravel

Why is this the only way,

The road that I must travel?

Please remind me…

That this pain inside was not Your plan

When You said, “Let there by light”

Our hearts were whole when you made man

Not torn from left to right

There were no tears in paradise

We knew Your every way

The paths were clear and struggle-free

We saw You every day

But sin came in and made its mark

Creation now was marred

As we walked out that garden’s gate

Pain followed, leaving scars

Remind me…

That Your heart was broken on that day

As You saw the path we chose

Your Father heart, it grieved for us

You longed to bring us close

You knew we could not bear the pain

We were no match for death

And so You came to walk with us

To share our every breath

You made a way to rescue us

From this place outside the garden

You gave Your life to bring us back

The payment for our pardon

Now paradise for us awaits

More beautiful than ever

No pain, no grief, no sin or shame

Your presence for forever

Remind me…

You cry with me these tears of grief

You bear with me my pain

Until the day I see Your face

And loss is turned to gain

But for today, please know my heart

Be patient with my doubt

Restore to me a childlike faith

And heal me in and out.

Just hold me close next to Your heart

Though I don’t understand

Remind me, please, of Your great love

That my life is in Your hands

Psalm 18:6 But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help.

Psalm 34:18 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 69:1-3 – Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

Isaiah 43:2- When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.