southern fried gal

I attended a funeral for a suicide victim this week. Tough to understand. The church was jam packed with people that were touched by the life of the victim. He left behind a three year old son. He left behind close friends and family that loved him. He was well respected in the community. All this made it even more difficult to understand how it could come to such a finality.

The minister delivered an excellent message during the funeral. It was of hope and healing. One reference of scripture in particular stuck out in my mind.

“Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:17-19 NIV

It is easy to quote this passage and believe when times are good. Maybe even when times are not so good. I wonder if it is as easy when it feels like there is not hope left at all? I came away from this funeral with a desire to hide these words deeper in my heart. The LORD will console, support and bring joy despite inner turmoil. He is bigger than any mountain I face!!

I’m not quite sure why this is what I’m sharing today. It has been heavy on my heart this week. Maybe I just need to get it off my chest to process the situation. Maybe the Lord is prompting me to share. I’m not sure. Whatever the reason, I pray that these words continue to provide hope and healing to all those reading and that you too will hide them a bit deeper in your heart.

~Southern Fried Gal

Photo courtesy Louann Parker 2009