God with us

This past year has been a difficult one for me. The aging of my parents and their progressing Alzheimer’s disease; making the difficult decision to place them into long-term care; the diagnosis of cancer for my husband; the death of my father. I was happy to see 2017 leave and welcomed 2018.

I felt very overwhelmed with it all, but I never felt as though I was alone. I continued to attend weekly worship services and at times couldn’t pray, but would listen to those praying around me. I would sit and let the tears silently slip down my face. I would receive communion and felt as though I was lighter somehow.

It may sound clich‚, but God has been with me through this difficult time and will continue to be with me. The psalmist was talking about the king of Israel in this psalm: God anointing the king as a messiah, a saviour; God with the people of Israel. Jesus takes the place of the king and becomes our Messiah; God with the people.

God has been since the beginning of time and that is comforting.

God, continue to be with all people. We celebrate and give thanks for your love, care and grace. Amen. — GB