After exiting the school bus one autumn afternoon, I walked the short dirt road distance to my front door. Inside, my mom waited. The principal of my elementary school had phoned her. She wanted to speak with me about it. I had gone missing at recess.

Next door to my elementary school’s playground was the town cemetery. My paternal grandfather had died during October and he was buried at the east end of the graveyard, not far from the school grounds. I have no memory of this, but Mom said that the “recess lady,” (our neighbor) had searched all over for me, finally finding me next to my grandfather’s grave.

That was fifth grade. My grandpa was the first funeral I’d gone through. No one told me that he had gone to Heaven, only that he’d died. My father never cried, never spoke about it. Grandpa was 54, dead from a heart attack.

In our society we’ve been taught not to cry, especially men.

But Lord Jesus wept about the death of his friend Lazarus when He saw the emotional pain Martha and Mary went through. (John 11:35)

In our society we’ve been taught to repress our feelings, especially men.

But Lord Jesus, alive in the flesh, experienced sadness, he was known as a “man of sorrows.” (Isaiah 53:3)

In this life we go through many problems which affect us emotionally. Emotions left bottled up turn into depression, mental disturbances and even suicide.

Because The Lord has lived this life and experienced its worst, He understands our frame, our weaknesses. Cry when you need to. Show your feelings of sorrow. Let them out. Speak to Lord Jesus and to another safe person about what you’re going through.

Your words are heard by Lord Jesus in Heaven. They come up to Him as incense and are kept in golden bowls. Our hands lifted to Him, He sees as an evening sacrifice. (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8)

He’s here to catch your tears and put them in His bottle. He acknowledges every one of your tears, recording them in His book. (Psalm 56:8)

Speak to the children in your life about what they’re feeling. Acknowledge them just as God acknowledges us. Reassure them that God is in control. Tell them about where their prayers go and about Heaven.

One afternoon after I was grown and had my own children, my spouse and I pulled back in to the Goodrich cemetery. I wanted to visit my grandparents’ grave one last time before returning south to Florida. I opened the side door of the rental van. My young children, so innocent of death and sorrow, jumped out and ran across the green summer grass shouting “A park! A park!” They loved the peacefulness, the trees, flowers and the nearby pond. A beautiful resting place for souls gone to Heaven.

SPEND TIME ALONE WITH GOD

If you ask someone from Michigan where they live, they automatically hold up their left hand to show where their hometown is. Michigan is sort of shaped like a mitten. My birthplace was in Goodrich, Michigan, a location on the map of your left hand, just to the left of the lowest joint on the thumb.

Where you’re born is important. It is identification for birth certificates, passports, national heritage, and in the case of Lord Jesus, fulfillment of prophecy. (Micah 5:2) (Matthew 2:1-6)

Growing up in Goodrich, which is outside of Flint, I came to know a bit about the area: the roads, the people, the schools, churches, lakes and rivers. It was no surprise to me that the Flint River was found to be contaminated with lead. Its polluted state was common knowledge many years ago. (Tim Carmody/The Verge)

Neither was the news several years ago that the auto industry was sinking. Those who lived in the midst of it could see what was happening.

But I also knew that Michigan was known for its great beauty and friendly people. Surrounded by Great Lakes, it has been a summer resort state for generations. Today it is promoted as “Pure Michigan.”

Psalm 87:6 states, “The Lord will count when He registers the peoples, ‘This one was born there.’”

God knows where we were born. He determined the location for our good.

But He is more interested in those who are “born again.” Their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Isaiah 4:3; Revelation 3:5) This book will be take out in Jerusalem, when Lord Jesus returns to sit on His throne.

Is your name written in the Book of Life?

Those born of the Spirit, born of God, are to know about the things of God’s Kingdom, just as we know about the things in our hometowns.

We should know how to reach God, our history and heritage, the ways of God, the people of God. The King should be on a first-name basis with each of us. Our citizenship is first in Heaven. (Philippians 3:20) The poisoned places God created (Hell, darkness, realm of the devil) should not be surprises to us and we should know not to eat from the tree of knowledge of evil nor to drink from a polluted river, clinging only to what is good. (Romans 12:9)

We who are born of God enjoy privileges that the world has not received: adoption as sons, grafting into the olive tree whose root is rich, knowledge of God and His glory, benefit of the New Covenant, His river of delights, His protection, provision and providence, His trust, His Word, and His promises. So many things cannot be written!

To whom much has been given, much is required. (Luke 12:48)

During this time of Christian persecution we must look back at what God has already done for us. Remember His Word, His promises and submit to His hand of protection. Now is the time to be faithful. We can see that pastors, many for the first time, are being called to stand for Christ publicly. (Daniel Burke/CNN; Steve West/World) They endangered by rioters, protesters and could be arrested.

We too little sheep must remain faithful as our leaders remain anchored to the cross of Christ.

Are you remaining faithful?

LOOK UP!

SPEND TIME ALONE WITH GOD

JESUS IS CALLING DOERS