A broken hearted woman once told the famous preacher F.B. Meyer that her crippled daughter, who brought her great joy, had died. For years she’d made tea for her each morning, then left for work, knowing that in the evening the daughter would be there when she arrived home. Now she came home to an empty house and an empty life.
Meyer said to her:. “When you get home, say aloud, ‘God, I know You are here!’ and be ready to greet Him directly when you open the door. And as you light the fire tell Him what has happened during the day, just as you would have told your daughter. Then, at night, as you get into bed, stretch out your hand in the darkness and say, ‘God, I know You are here!'”
Some months later, he met her again and was both delighted and amazed by the transformation he saw in her.”I did as you told me,” she said, “and ever since I’ve come home each night, and woke up each morning knowing that I’m never alone.”
Faith does not eliminate grief and sadness from our lives; but it does put us in touch with a presence that gives hope and comfort.