NACR Daily Meditation for Monday, Feb 17, 2003

17 Feb 2003 08:00:01 -0000

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NACR Daily Meditation for Monday, Feb 17, 2003

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A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for
her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.

Matthew 2:18

There are times when there is no consolation for grief. There is no comfort.
In these times we feel that those who try to comfort us do not understand
the vastness of our pain. All we know, all we see, is the terrible loss
we have suffered. The world feels as if it should stop. Nothing matters
but our loss.

We weep and rage and long for the return of what we have lost.

This happened to many of the families living in Bethlehem at the time of
Jesus' birth. In hopes of killing the Messiah, Herod ordered that the oldest
male child under two years old in that town be put to death. It was into
this world of violence and terror that Jesus was born. The Christmas story
is not a fairy tale with happy endings, but a story about real life and
terrible loss. 

There are times in our lives for weeping without comfort, for weeping with
anguish and rage. God has come before into times like this. God comes as
well into our times of anguish and rage. Because God comes there will eventually
be a time to be comforted. And a time to heal. And a time to go on. 

But there is a time to weep. It cannot be rushed, or bypassed. There is
a time for weeping.

God, hold me when I weep,
when I refuse comfort,
when I cannot see beyond this pain.
Give me courage to grieve deeply, Lord.
Help me to tolerate the silence,
as I wait for you to speak.
Help me to survive the loneliness
as I await your coming.
Help me to grieve in ways
that draw me closer to you.
Amen.

Copyright 1991 Dale and Juanita Ryan 

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ROOTED IN GOD'S LOVE (the book from which these meditations are taken, is back in print! To order call our office at 714-529-6227 ext 111 or order online at

http://www.nacronline.com/dox/store/dox/nacrbooks.htm

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Meditations from previous days can be viewed at:  

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Plan now to join us at STEPS 2003, a national conference for Christians in recovery jointly sponsored by the NACR and Overcomers Outreach. It will be held June 26-28, 2003 in Southern California. Plenary speakers are Steve Arterburn, David Stoop, Rich Buhler, Sandra Wilson, Mark Laaser and Ann Kiemel Anderson. Over 45 workshops. Support groups. Specialized gatherings. And lots of fellowship and support for your recovery. Details as they become available and online registration will be at:

 http://www.nacronline.com/dox/steps2003.htm

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