03/31/2026
It was one year ago today that the Lord took my dearest on earth to Heaven. That morning, I had read this devotional. At 9:08 that evening, Rod was present with his Lord and Savior. Heaven rules. 💛
This devotional was the perfect one to read that morning. God knew, but little did I know how much this reading would mean to me just a few hours later and in the days and weeks to come. God is so good. I thank Him for His very near presence and His protection in my life especially in this last year. I praise Him for His faithfulness. I praise Him for the promise of Heaven for those who love and trust Him. I praise Him for the gift of my Rod. I love Jesus and Rod more today than I ever have and look forward to an eternity worshipping the King of kings together! Thank you for continued prayers and may this devotional bless and encourage you, too. 💛
The Loss of Loved Ones
“Suppose you are a gardener employed by another. It is not your garden, but you are called upon to tend it. You come one morning into the garden, and you find that the best rose has been taken away. You are angry. You go to your fellow servants and charge them with having taken the rose. They declare that they had nothing to do with it, and one says, "I saw the Master walking here this morning; I think He took it.” Is the gardner angry then? No, at once he says, "I am happy that my rose should have been so fair as to attract the attention of the Master. It is His own. He has taken it, let Him do what seems good."
It is even so with your friends. They wither not by chance. The grave is not filled by accident, men die according to God's will. Your child is gone, but the Master took them. Your husband is gone, your wife is buried, the Master took them. Thank Him that He let you have the pleasure of caring for them and tending them while they were here. And thank Him that as He gave, He Himself has taken away.”
—Charles Spurgeon
