For June 16th:

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.

Matthew 28:20

My father had been sick and was in the hospital for surgery.  My mother and I were in his room and the surgeon came in to talk with us after he had finished.  He told us my father was filled with tumors in this intestine due to Pancreatic Cancer.  He had preformed a Colonoscopy and said my father had six months to live.  We had thought my father had a living will and were shocked that the doctor had not called to ask us what my father would have wanted.  I was very angry.  Mad at the doctor and mad at God.  I turned to my faith and my bible for help.  Someone, I do not remember who, gave me a little book called God’s Promises for your every need.  It had the scriptures for when I was angry, lonely, in need of courage, morning, and what ever I needed at the end of each day.  I knew my father had a relationship with God and that he would be in a better place.  I struggled with why he had to suffer.  I got to the point where the verse “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” became my constant reassurance for me and for my father.  I am so thankful to have had my father for 70 years and to be able to know that he knew Jesus.  I am also thankful that Jesus saw me through this tough time providing just the words I needed every day.

There is an old hymn, “Jesus Is Always There”, that says “Jesus is always there.  Never a burden that He doth not carry, never a sorrow that He doth not share: Whether the days may be sunny or dreary, Jesus is always there.”  The Cokesbury Worship Hymnal, 1938

Shelley Irwin