A joyful song of grief
Huge voices filled the 10' x 10' concrete home.The women of our host church had come together to cook us dinner. I couldn't help but stare at the beautiful tall round ladies as they danced around the kitchen.We were staying with a "black" family in the infamous Khayelitsha township just outside of Cape Town, South Africa. The "Mamas", as they are called, were skillfully preparing the newly slaughtered chickens. As they cooked, they sang. Their velvet voices wove together and the sound resonated in my chair and in my heart.Crash. The harmonies evaporated into silence.A whole tray of chicken went flying across the floor.Silence. A sigh. Then one Mama started a new song. The voices joined in as the chicken was collected.I leaned over and asked our local team leader for a translation of the words."They are singing a song of joy for we have food to spill. They are singing a song of weeping for those who do not have food to spill."Today a young mum from our church family went to live with Jesus in eternity. For days we have been praying for a miracle. Yahweh is good and we know He has a good plan. We prayed that she could stay with us and also prayed that His Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We did not give up praying and hoping. But now she is gone to Him.I wish I knew the words to that beautiful song. I want to sing a song of joy for we have a loved one to grieve over. I want to sing a song for weeping for those who do not have love in their lives.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you his grace and peace. All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (2 Corinthians 1:2-4)
Abba Yahweh, thank you for making this beautiful woman and for all she has brought to this world in her time here. God who comforts us, wrap her family and friends in your love. I am so thankful that this life is not our only reality. I look forward to when we can all be together again.Do you have a joyful song of grief in your heart? Are you in a bittersweet season? How have you seen "the God who comforts us", in action in your life?Want to read through the Bible with me? Today's Readings: Psalm 20,21; Luke 11:29-36