When tragedy strikes there is always hope

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a]and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

It is amazing how despite the presence of so many television shows glorify death, but when death personally touches our lives we are at a loss as to how to handle it.

 It seems we have this idea that death is something that happens to other people, but never us.  We live in this world of make believe of Disney characters, redundant happy songs bouncing in our heads with this perpetual smile on or faces. 

 We take trips to Disney and all of the other copy cat theme parks in hopes that the happiness they give to us remains in us; yet, all it takes is a phone call at an hour we least expect it to take those happy feelings away. We understand intellectually what death means, but when the real thing happens we try to bury it with busyness and Disney movies.

 I remember from my own grief journey reading how there are so many ways that a person can die. Life, it seems, is uncertain, unpredictable, fragile and surprisingly short. At some point in our time line all of our lives will end,but that isn't the end. Because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross followed by his resurrection and his ascension, life for us continues when the natural course of our lives on earth is completed

All it takes is a simple decision to say

"yes Lord"

and invite your Savior

to come into your life.

When Jesus took his final breath and exclaimed "it is finished" he provided a passage way to heaven, one gold plated brick at at time. When he died he not only escorted your loved one home but he made a promise to walk with each of us through the fiery furnace of grief.

Jesus is only a prayer call away

All you have to do is call him

out of the pain of your grief, call him

through the tear filled eyes, call him
though your body visibly shakes,

call him

In this video presented by Billy Graham you will meet several people who know grief first hand and through their pain you will experience their losses and you will experience how the loving Savior came beside each of them to help them heal from this pain.

As you watch this video ask Jesus to come along side you. Jesus wants to come into your life and be your guide on this journey. Death does not have to be the end. It can be your defining moment in this life where greater things, yet to be shown, will come.  The amazing thing about grief and sorrow that as you draw nearer to your Lord and Savior you will have the beautiful fragrance of Christ that will draw others near  to hear the gift of eternal life!