Calling all cabin owners to consider starting a grief ministry by inviting those who are missing a loved one to stay at their cabin

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:38

With the exception of this season's hurricanes, there is something that calms the soul sitting by any body of water listening to the soft sounds of the waves splashing at our feet. 

It is what drives us to plan family vacations anywhere we can find water. Whether it is up north to a cabin on the water or to any of the oceans that surround us it is what drives our vacation planning.  Yes, there may be Disney, but ultimately we will rent a car and drive to the ocean- for nothing is more soothing than sitting on a beach chair with a God's word in our hand listening to the waves lapping at our feet as we read God's comforting reminders of how much He loves us!  I'm reminded of these scriptures about water.

“But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.John 7:38-39

Therefore you will joyously draw water From the springs of salvation Isaiah 12:3

Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations Revelations 22:1-2

Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13

To anyone who has ever suffered a sudden and traumatic loss, there is the comfort of leaving the business of life behind and traveling to gentle lakeshore next to a cabin and allowing the gentle breezes of our Lord to breathe new life into an aching soul- if only they knew someone with a cabin to share?

Then it occurred to me what if those who have cabins were to read this post and seriously think of dedicating their cabin as a ministry to those on the path of grieving?  When you compare the number of days in a year with the number of times one travels to their cabin, I venture to guess there are far greater days their cabin sits empty?   Just think of the good it would do if they would open up their cabin doors to those who suffer from intense bereavement? I can only imagine God's blessings on the lives of cabin owners who consider such a ministry.

Finally, I 'm reminded of one other verse that describes the importance of the body of Christ-'For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a]faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:3-8

What this verse says to me is that as Christians, we were not meant to stand on the sideline while cheering others on. We all have a part in the body of Christ. Your part, if you are a cabin owner, might be helping others heal in their grief.