Heartfelt Imprints

“What a wonderful God we have-He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.  And why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

There are certain events in our lives that are so devastating that they leave an everlasting mark on our hearts.  For me, it was the death of my Mother. She lost her battle with cancer on February 5, 1988. As I reflect on the 32nd anniversary of her death I realized that my grief is still there. Every year on this date, my heart feels the same heavy sadness as it did on the day that she died. I often feel as if my heart travels back in time every February to this sorrowful day.

I can’t help but wonder how I have survived such a devastating loss? Despite my feelings of being all alone, I realize now that God was with me throughout it all. In Matthew 5:4 it says,

“Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

I did not come to believe this just because I was told it, but because I experienced it! His comfort and promises affected my life and my heart long before I read these words.

There are numerous scripture verses that assure us of His love, comfort, and help but, none would be possible without faith and belief in Jesus Christ.

I am reminded that when we cry, He is there. When we struggle, He is there. And when we seek, He is there seeking us!

God promises to never leave us and it is that promise that I have come to know personally. In John 14:18 it says,

“No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm-I will come to you.”

What allows us to see this truth during devastation? The answer is Him. God sent His Son to reunite us and through His Holy Spirit, we can see and know Him and His love fully, even when our hearts are breaking.

Even though my heart still grieves for and misses my Mother, I hold on to His promise that I will see her again, and there will be no more sadness Revelation 21:4,

I can clearly see how this experience has affected me and my heart, but God did not allow this to overtake my heart. He has allowed this pain to become the fuel that drives my compassion for others. It is God who rights the wrongs and mends the broken pieces within us and bring us peace when our heart is aching.

If you know this sadness, take heart, God’s promises are true and He is with you!

Blessings,

Anne Blanchette