The Dark Night of the Soul

Oh, the dark nights of the soul,

when we hang our harps upon the willows

and find comfort in only the Lord!

Seperation is sorrowful.

Who of us haven't grieved the loss of a loved one,

nor felt its sorrow

having wept in each other's arms?

Now you must travel seperately,

no longer to enjoy each other's companionship

through this "veil of tears" called life.

Many are passing through the deep waters of sorrow as you read this.

You can relate, having lost a companion yourself

and are now experiencing the heartache of seperation,

wondering how you will cope with the lonely hours ahead.

We feel the emptiness in our hearts, and in our homes,

when a loved one is taken from us.

"...being taken from you for a short time

in presence, not in heart... 

We are homesick for heaven

and anticipate the reunion of our loved ones

as we yearn for a better place.

The familar was so comforting.

It's never easy to let go.

Whether it be the death of a dream,

a marriage that ended in divorce,

the loss of a job, or financial security,

or the carefreeness of childhood days.

"We are called to hold with open hands,

life and the things in it,

even if they are the crutches that have held us up,

the familiar that has given us comfort,

the loved one who has given us joy...

a relationship that won't heal,

a home we must leave...

...we reach out for those things

that have been wrenched away from us.

We become the prisioner of what we cannot let go...

the possessor of what we give away."

Sometimes grief comes upon us  suddenly,

like tidal waves crashing over our soul.

We buffer ourselves from its pain

as we try to hold on to what we've held precious

till it's taken out of our hands.

Sometimes gently. Sometimes suddenly,

but always painfully.

We'd lose ourselves in the valley of grief

if it were not for the hand of our Shepherd

to guide us through the long and lonely nights.

In the dark night of the soul, He is our Comforter.

A Loving Presence, who shares in our pain and in our suffering.

With each tear that falls, it nudges us homeward towards heaven,

where no sorrow, no seperation, nor tears shall fall.

Soon the weary night will be over for joy everlasting comes in the morning.

He reveals Himself  to us in our moments of deepest pain.

Through teary eyes we anticipate our joyful reunion

when we will be with our loved ones once again.

For the Lord will come with a shout,

and those who have gone to be with the Lord will descend.

Their graves will open, and their bodies and souls will be rejoined,

and together we shall rise to be with the Lord.

At times the anguish of your soul will move you to tears

but take heart, precious one, for a better day is coming

that will increase your desire to be with the Lord

that would not have been possible

had you not walked through the valley of grief.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."

                    ~ Matthew 5:4

May the Lord bless you and keep you

all the days of the rest of your life,

until you are in the presence of the Lord in heaven.

***

If  you felt the spirit of the Lord speaking to you tonight,

and would like to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior,

you can begin a personal relationship with Him

by praying a prayer such as the following:

"O God, I am a sinner.

I am sorry for my sins.

I want to turn from my sin.

I receive Jesus Christ as my Savior;

I confess Him as my Lord.

From now on I want to follow Him.

In Jesus' name, Amen."

If you received the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior

after reading this invitation, please let us know.

We would love to hear from you, Your first name is sufficient.

We'll leave the light on for you...