February was a month of struggle and pain. I was given the news of my brother’s murder. I have lost a sister to leukemia and a brother to lymphoma. These deaths stung and I grieved but this news was different. A man had taken my brother’s life. I have had sleepless nights trying to understand and reason out this brutal act. Even though I know intellectually sin does not make sense. I still tried to wrestle out some reason for this horrible act.
My comfort has been found in reading scripture out loud. I have read and continue to read Psalm 27 which starts out “The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall….”
This passage has provided a healing balm to my open wounds. When I look at the picture from the newspaper of the man who committed this crime against my brother I am able to remember to focus on seeking the face of the Lord. I am able to heal and press on another day through the power and healing of His word.
by Paula Miller from Alaska Conference.