Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

Not A Chair Nor A Chicken.

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You were born a human being. That means you are not a chair, and you are certainly no chicken.

You are not a chicken because you know how to argue, to stand up and fight; just to fight for what is right.

You are too special to be a chair because you hear the voice of God. What does He sound like? You will know when He is suddenly silent. Beware the Lotus Eaters! Stay awake and know who the phonies are!

Show some guts because there are too many possibilities, too many temptations and it is easy to go wrong. Satan tempts us in those places he knows we CAN do—we are never tempted to do the impossible.

You are worth all the trouble to get goosed a little because you know that we would never do anything to hurt you, nor would we ask you to hurt yourself.

There is a reason you are not a chair nor a chicken. That reason is because you were designed to do something in such a specific way that nobody living ever has been able to, can do or ever will do. You are able to bring glory to God in a way that He has made for you—nobody can do what He designed you to do. You are not made to be the butt-end of things, nor are you made to scratch in the dirt.

You have talent. You have ability and we don’t want you to chicken out on yourself.

You are not a chair nor a chicken is because you know how to laugh—really laugh. You also know how to make other people laugh. You see how people make cartoons of themselves. You have a good eye because you are good at being human. This is a sign that you are alive; but, there is an abundant life for you. You will never find it by just sitting here, scratching around. Don’t be somebody else’s cartoon.

You make poor chair, a poor chicken.

(inspired by a scene from Herb Garner’s, “A Thousand Clowns”)

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