Life and Death

"The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satsifying life." John 10:10

My heart feels heavy. Jeremy called me earlier with some really sad news. Jeremy's parents neighbor (who Jeremy and I have said hi to many times, had a barbeque with a couple years back) killed himself tonight in his backyard. He lived right next to Jeremy's parents. His name was Bruce and he was always so nice and friendly....he was a private person but when we did see him he was always so nice...the kind of neighbor anyone would like to have.

I did not know Bruce well....not even well enough to tell you his age (I think maybe in his 40's?) or his last name....but my heart is just aching that he is gone and all because the devil whispered lies to him and told him his life was not worth living anymore. He lost his job a few months back and that was very difficult for him, and I know many are in the same boat right now. He wasn't married but has been dating a nice lady for the past few years....he was always working in the yard and was just a likable guy. It makes me so sad that he didn't know the Lord (as far as we know) and that he never came to understand and know how much God loved him....that Jesus died for him...that Bruce was His child.

God put my in-laws next door to Bruce for a reason. My FIL has had the opportunity to witness to him and even this past Memorial Day he felt to go over and pray with Bruce so He did....He could tell something wasn't right and that Bruce wasn't himself but of course didn't know this would be the outcome. Please be praying for Bruce's loved ones. His girlfriend who found him I'm sure is just a mess and the police and her were on their way over to Bruce's parents house to tell them the news earlier...I just found out that Bruce's sister died last year also. They all need Jesus and I pray that through this horrible tragedy that was not the will of God but rather a work of the devil that his family and girlfriend can come to know Jesus and His love if they don't know Him already.

Here I am about to have a baby...the miracle of life...such a gift from God....and there are so many people hurting and lost in this world who feel they have no reason to live anymore. It just makes you really sit and think about life...and what's important ya know? God. Family. Friends. Our spouse. Our kids. Health. Life. I don't want to have any bitterness, unforgiveness or judgement in my heart towards anyone. I don't ever want to go to bed angry or upset at Jeremy or without smothering Ethan with kisses even if it was a frustrating and hard day. I want those I love to know how much I love them. Life is short and we consume our lives sometimes with things that don't matter....selfishness sums it up I think! Jesus is all that matters and He's all that we need in this world. We need Jesus so desperately in our lives and I want to be used by Him every day in every way I can....I want to make a difference ya know?

We've all been through different things in our lives....ups and downs...good times and bad times....but no matter where we've been there is one person who never changes...never fails us...never leaves us....and that's Jesus. He's so faithful....more faithful than the morning sun.

I don't know whose reading this, where you're at in your life or if you know Jesus as your best friend or not but I encourage you to reach out to Him today if you don't know Him because He loves you more than anyone else in this life ever could and He wants to have a personal relationship with you. In the Bible it says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. What an amazing promise we have in God....all we have to do is call out to Him, ask Him to forgive us of our sins and that we choose Him in our life and want to love Him and know Him and accept Him into our heart.

Jesus paid it all.....all to Him I owe....sin had left a crimson stain....but he washed it white as snow.

Thank you Jesus for washing away all my sin and shame. I love you and am so thankful to be Yours.

Keri