Christmas has come and gone…our first without Grant.  I thought we would all start to feel better after the holidays were behind us. I anticipated conquering this big “first” to bring some relief. But today is “one of those days.” Everyone, including me, seems to have woken up sad, longing, missing!  Grief is like that.  It has a life of its own and you never know, or why, or when, it’s going to strike and claim its prey, threatening to still the day’s joy. While trying to read my Bible this morning all I could do was cry.  So on days like this I quickly turn to this verse and meditate on its astonishing truth.

 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.  2 Peter 1:3-4

 The gospel, the power of Christ, is everything I need for life and godliness, even on a road of suffering.  The ability to do all things, God has called me to do, has been given to me in Christ, even on a journey of grief.  The verbs in this verse are past tense.  This is better than, more than, a promise to come.  It is, in fact, a “done deal” as they say.  When I am feeling inadequate or incapable of living the new normal, life without one of my precious children, I need to remember this verse and meditate on its truth.

I can have the confidence that if God has called me to walk through this, He will equip.  The confidence to walk this road is not found in my abilities, endurance, or strength.  It is in Christ, by “His divine nature,” that I will have the grace, strength, and capacity to walk this road in a way that Glorifies Him and honors Grant’s memory.

Do I need more strength today?  It is there in Christ?  Do I need more hope today?  It is there in Christ.  Do I need more joy today?  It is there in Christ! What is it you need today?  I can say with certainty, It is there for you, in Christ!