Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking at Evangelism University on the topic of “What Helps When I struggle with Grief.”

Honestly. It was hard. Real hard.

You see, It has been 14 years today since I held my Dad’s hand and hugged his neck.

14 years since I heard him say “Slide Tide!” When Alabama would lose a football game.

The people in this picture have been gone a long time, with the exception of the that little girl who is now a grown woman with a child of her own. And that young man whose hair is nowhere near that color now.

While my earthly family has diminished in number, the greatest gift I have is my church family and they are numerous throughout this world.. (that’s right, the WORLD!)

Thank you Lord for my family!

If you are reading this, you are one of them!

Other than the greatest comfort coming from God, YOU are the comfort I rely on…

To make it

when I hurt

when I cry

when I need a hand

when I need someone to be by my side.

I miss my Dad… a lot, but just like others who have this same hurt…I have comfort.

When at the event we sang, “Hymn of Heaven”

I was thinking of Dad… I’ll admit…I cried.

why?

Because of these words:

How I long to breathe the air of Heaven

Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets

To look upon the One who bled to save me

And walk with Him for all eternity

There will be a day when all will bow before Him

There will be a day when death will be no more

Standing face to face with He who died and rose again

Holy, holy is the Lord

And every prayer we prayed in desperation

The songs of faith we sang through doubt and fear

In the end, we’ll see that it was worth it

When He returns to wipe away our tears

Oh, there will be a day when all will bow before Him

There will be a day when death will be no more

Standing face to face with He who died and rose again

Holy, holy is the Lord

And on that day, we join the resurrection

And stand beside the heroes of the faith

With one voice, a thousand generations

Sing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”

“Forever He shall reign”

So let it be today we shout the hymn of Heaven

With angels and the saints, we raise a mighty roar

Glory to our God who gave us life beyond the grave

Holy, holy is the Lord

Songwriters: Brian Johnson / Phil Wickham / Bill Johnson / Chris Davenport

I miss you Dad,

Longing for that day, but until then..

One more day for one more soul!