how great, is our god

I have to tell you, this past week has been one of the hardest and one of the most encouraging weeks of my little life. Losing a dear friend is not fun. Aching daily for his wife is even less fun. But this past week I watched (and was able to be a part of) a church that banded together to praise God and also cry out to God in this time of need. I witnessed a body of believers do whatever they could to pray, deliver food, and encourage a family that was hurting. And even while so many of us were screaming at God "Why? How could this happen?" so many of us continued to praise God and thank him for being so good.

God was so present on Friday at the funeral while probably 400+ people gathered together to celebrate a wonderful life. I already knew my friend was incredible, but hearing people talk about how awesome he was and how diligently he sought after God, really revealed to me just how awesome of a life he led. In just 25 years, I thought, he had already done so much with such a kingdom mindset... I have to step up to the plate! We serve the same God, but I am lazy and comfortable in my faith. This man understood the urgency of the gospel, and was all about sharing it in his everyday walk. Seriously.
The most encouraging thing was to be part of worship at the funeral. To worship God and be thankful that he brought my friend home to enjoy the reward of heaven- to know that God brought him home and said "well done good and faithful servant". And to watch his wife worship the Lord that day. Wow.

When I got to talk to her, I was encouraged by her. (me!? I should be the one encouraging her!) She was rejoicing for his life (although knowing that her life would from now on be so different, and still being sad to lose her husband, and still in great need of prayer) but, she was joyful because she can rest in the arms of Christ and she has faith that God is still so great.


And tonight we started our girl's Bible study. I am so thankful for this. I am excited to see what God has in store for us.