CMCC Connections – 26 May 2021

My mom died five months before we moved to Thailand. I was still processing her death, grieving when we arrived in Chiang Mai. Add to that the already challenging mix of adjusting to a new culture, language, climate and… well, it was hard. Beyond hard. One of the things I became acutely aware of now that she was “finally home” with the Lord was that my biggest cheerleader, the person who always believed in me, encouraged me was no longer audibly rooting for me. Her voice had been silenced, her impact preserved in a treasure trove of memories.

One day, when I was having a particularly rough day, it seemed the Lord was saying,

“Mary, I’m here for you. I’m your biggest fan. I always have been – and I always will be!”

In an intellectual, theological way I KNEW this was true… but now… I guess you could say I was experientially learning what God had been communicating all along in His Word:

“I will never leave you, never! And I will not loosen My grip on your life!”

Hebrews 13:5b (TPT)

“Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…”

Isaiah 49: 16 (ESV)

“I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore, with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.”

Jeremiah 31:3 (AMP)

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31 (NIV)

Our graduating seniors will soon be embarking on a new chapter in their lives. Those whose voices have been rooting for them, believing in them, encouraging them will more than likely be further away geographically, the frequency of their words undoubtedly less, their knowing-what’s-going-on-all-the-“time-ness”altered. And yet, as Pastor Keegan reminded us on Sunday…

God is faithful

GOD IS FOR YOU

God can and will do the impossible

Yes, in a very real sense not only our seniors – but also ALL of us – need to be reminded that God is on our side! He always has been… and always will be. He’s rooting for us and wants to see us grow and prosper. No matter what time of day or night, HIS voice is ready and eager to reassure us of His love, His faithfulness, His commitment to us, His ability to make possible those things we deem impossible.

You know what’s interesting, though? Even though I no longer “hear” my mom’s voice of encouragement, God often uses others in the body of Christ to speak His message of hope and healing to my heart. Be that someone else this week. And…

Stay safe! Stay healthy! STAY CONNECTED!

Warmly,

Mary Ginter

on behalf of the Pastoral Care Team (cmcc.connections@gmail.com)