Death! Got your attention didn’t I? Really the word death means the end of something. You can have death of a marriage, death of a friendship, and then there is physical death. I grew up hearing the words L’Chaim. This is Hebrew for: “To Life”. My life with JESUS means I no longer have to fear death. So it actually means I can really embrace life. JESUS permits me to have joy in all circumstances. Psalm 16:11 is so beautiful:

YOU make known to me the path of life,

YOU will fill me with joy in YOUR presence

With eternal pleasures at YOUR right hand.

Whatever I must endure today is but only a fleeting moment compared to the joy I shall have forever. Will I be hurt while of this world? Of course! Will I have trials? Absolutely! But I can have peace and joy always as I rest in the arms of my LORD. I only see what is directly in front of me and spend a bit too much thought on what was behind me. Truthfully they are but blinks of an eye. Though I walk through the valley of death; I shall not fear. GOD is with me. HIS rod and staff comforts me.

So I scream TO LIFE! L’CHAIM!!! Because I am a child of the CHRIST and whatever happens in this world will have no matter someday….

We all grow up in families. They are made up of a vast array of combinations. Inside each of them, no matter what they look like on the outside is a truth. There is usually love in the center or at least loving intentions, however sometimes things get skewed and different perceptions are born and sufferings, hang-ups, pain and hurt can develop. No matter how “perfect” a family may seem, the truth is that there are no perfect families no more than there are perfect people.

We stroll along our paths in life but sometimes, perhaps often many of us are haunted by the feelings of being unloved, not good enough, lonely or at the worst, abused. We say it to our kids all the time, “life is not fair” although those words are spoken robotically to quiet a child, there is an absolute truth and significance. Life is not fair. Sometimes it is plain awful.

When there it physical and emotional emptiness, we tend to want to fill it up with something. This something that can anything that will sidetrack or divert us from facing the emptiness. It can be drugs, alcohol and gambling; which may be the easier ones to recognize. Anything in excess is not good and generally when we cover that pit in our psyche’s we tend to use anything in excess. For me, I work, overeat and meddle. When I am not doing these things, I am left with me. There is anxiety, anger, sadness and the list goes on. So I quickly reach for my fix. I direct another in how to live or I check my emails excessively to be sure my company is still kicking or I eat and eat and eat.

Eventually these “things” we use to fill us get completely out of control. In the midst of this, there is relief. It is simple but not easy, a commitment that provides more gifts for us than can be imagined. Peace, joy, goodness and self-control just to name a few. It is not religion. In today’s society that is almost a curse word. IT IS A RELATIONSHIP with JESUS.

It is one step of a million steps towards freedom. It is a hand to hold when you are feeling that empty feeling in the pit of your stomach or when your mind races with anxiety. There is nothing you need to do except be willing. Be willing to truly give your heart to HIM and then his hand and heart are extended to you and you will never be alone again. And surely you will be lifted out of the pit. And even though you may stumble into that pit again…….. you are pulled out, wiped off and hugged.

Come to JESUS, He is calling you. Talk to HIM, cry to HIM, whine to HIM, or moan…… that is a first step….. but when you ask HIM into your heart, that pit will slowly disappear.

OH.. JESUS, YOU know there are so many of us that walk in the dark woods, suffering and there you are with an extended hand, calling to us, crying with us. I want YOU JESUS, I want YOU to fill me. Come into my heart and let me release the pain to YOU. THANK YOU GOD!!!