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!

Separation 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 separately,

no longer to enjoy the loving friendship, and companions forever,

as you walk 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 separation,

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 familiar was so comforting.

It's never easy to let go.

"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...

...we reach out for those things

that have been wrenched away from us.

We become the prisoner 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 separation, nor tears shall fall.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh 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 himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,

with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:

and the dead in Chirst shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up

together with them in the clouds

to meet the Lord in the air:

and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

                    ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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.

***

Dear soul,

We're not home yet, the best is yet to be!

Those who fall asleep in Jesus

will be waiting to welcome us home in glory.

Yet, if you do not believe in the Lord you're going to hell.

There's no pleasant way to say it.

The Scripture says,

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

                  ~ Romans 3:23

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved."

                 ~ Romans 10:9

Don't fall asleep without Jesus

until you are assured of a place in heaven.

Tonight, if you would like to receive the gift of eternal life

first you must believe in the Lord.

You have to ask for your sins to be forgiven

and put your trust in the Lord.

There's only one way to heaven and that's through the Lord Jesus.

That's God's wonderful plan of salvation.

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."

                        ~ Ephesians 1:4

If you received the Lord Jesus 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...