“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Lucy is one of my husband’s favorite relatives. She is a gentle person. Exactly the kind of mother, grandmother, aunt, or neighbor you would want. Her hair is white and curled, and patted down to cover the balding thinness. She walks bent over from the great hump on her back from osteoporosis.
Lucy always has a ready and listening ear. She always has something kind and encouraging to say. You just feel better being around her.
She stays busy with friends and family, but lives alone. Her husband and best friend of 45 years, died. I asked her, “How are you really doing?” She paused, then said, “It’s hardest in the night. Everything is worse at night.”
Lucy’s peaceful and pleasant demeanor covers her real feelings of ongoing loneliness and anxiety. In the book of Samuel, in the Bible, it says we look at what we can see, but God looks at the heart.
Sometimes we look all “together” when really we are in our “night.” God alone sees into our deepest heart of hearts. He knows what is written there.
He is always about the business of comforting us. He actually provides us with His very presence. That word of hope is real good news.
Especially in the night.
Sally I. Kennedy
http://www.sallyikennedy.com _/ 52 Little Parables from Ireland Words from the Heart Irish Thursdays, More Little Parables /Email: _sallyikennedy@bellsouth.net