I stand in front of yet another casket this week, a long time friend and mother of one I hold dear.  She weeps and I remember my own grief.

Her heart is broken and her mind cannot conceive how she will live without her mother.  I remember feeling the same way some 30 years ago.  My memories stir and I go back to that place in time when earthly life ended for my mother and I felt like mine did too.

But it didn’t.  I moved on.  I had no other choice.

And God was near.

There is evening and there is morning.  Each new day begins, even after the darkest of nights.  And grace is near in the dark and in the light.

After we walk through the shadow of death, we will enter the light of a new day, a new beginning, a new journey.  Until then, we look to the Ancient of Days who changes not.  Darkness and light are the same to Him and He is there in both.

Until the sun shines again, until the light of morning glows bright and color-hewed, we reach for the hand of the Almighty and find He is already holding us.

All is well and all will be well because He is near.

Sunday grace, friends.