He Alone

You've kept track of my every toss and turn
      through the sleepless nights,
   Each tear entered in your ledger,
      each ache written in your book.

--Psalm 56:8 (The Message)

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 The Lord will comfort Israel again
      and have pity on her ruins.
   Her desert will blossom like Eden,
      her barren wilderness like the garden of the Lord.
   Joy and gladness will be found there.
      Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.

--Isaiah 51:3 (NLT)

When my children were younger tears came for lots of different reasons.  They were either hungry, tired, had an injury, lost a toy, someone called them a bad name, or their sibling was doing something they didn't like.  (That probably happened more than anything!)  Most often the comfort was easy, and the tears came to a stop in short order.  Mom's arms were the perfect comfort.

Today the tears come because of bigger problems and deeper hurts, and the they can't always whisked away with a hug from mom or a chat with a friend.  This weekend an old baseball teammate of Kyle's died in a car accident.  That's big.  Death of an acquaintance, and of one so young, hits home hard.  Grief is real.  It's hard for a mom just to take away the hurt.

 

But one thing I know, I can guarantee Alyssa and Kyle that the best place for them to turn is to the great and awesome Comforter, Jesus Christ.  He alone understands every hurt, can fill every loneliness, and mend any relationship.  He can comfort like no other.

 

He alone keeps track of every one of their tears.

He alone can turn mourning into gladness.

He alone can be their refuge and shelter.

He alone.

Oh Lord, you are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace  You are our refuge and strength, our comfort, and in control over everything in our lives.  You, Lord, kept track of Alyssa and Kyle's every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, and each of their tears are entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle come to know you as their very best friend, and the one in whom they turn when they are hurting, lonely, or struggling with the circumstances of life.  May they know the comfort of feeling your tender and loving arms around them when times are hard.  You alone will turn their mourning into gladness, and make beauty from ashes.  Joy will be found in you, our Precious Savior.