January, 2009

There's a song stuck in my head that has played itself continuously over the past week: Children of the Heavenly Father (Words by Karolina W. Sandell-Berg (1858))
I've copied down a couple verses that have found their way into my head and heart this week.

Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in Heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.

Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.

Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.

Of course there's more to the song, but I've focused on these verses as we face the loss of my dear brother-in-law, Bob. He moved from this earth into the presence of God this morning.
Bob's been a part of our family for over 30 years and as his health deteriorated over the past years, his good heart, his love for the Dodgers and his love for God did not. (I love you, fire-breathing dragon.)
Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. He has gathered Bob to Himself and He gathers us and holds us in our sorrow -- especially my sister, Annie, the children and the grandchildren. Indeed, we all have a place of refuge in our Heavenly Father.