“The Lord is near to the brokenheartedand saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous,but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:18-19 (NASB)

A Great Loss

I was sitting in the shade with a popsicle in my hand, weeping. I missed my faithful companion. When I was stuck staying home and my husband was at work, she would follow me from room to room, tail wagging. If I sat down on the couch to work from home, she sat right next to me. She always listened to all my ideas without judgment, and if I asked her opinion, she looked up at me with eyes that said I don’t know, I’m just a dog. Some days I didn’t feel like getting up and moving, but she had to have her walk before it got hot. When I did go out, she was ecstatic when I returned, hopping with joy, pink tongue lolling. When I had nowhere to go but needed a change of scenery, I would take a popsicle and sit in my front yard and look out at the street, and she sat right next to me so I could have one hand on her and she looked out with me.

Monday she was fine, starting to feel herself again after having a tooth pulled. Tuesday she woke up at dawn, moaning in pain from an inflamed pancreas. In spite of fervent prayer and treatment, Wednesday morning she curled up in her doghouse and took her last breath.

It seemed to come on top of everything else that had gone wrong this year. Even through all the loss and suffering and disappointment, her goofy face had been there to cheer me up, her needs had gotten me up out of my introspection, and her steadfast presence had kept me company. Now she was gone.

So I was sitting in “our” spot, looking out at the street, and crying because the ache in my heart was so raw. All I could think was she is gone.

But then the next thought came into my mind: He is here.

And the very moment I acknowledged it, the presence of the Lord soothed my aching heart like balm on a burn. The Lord is always present, but my broken heart and crushed spirit felt that nearness deep within. Many are the afflictions in this life… but He is here.

Father, Your nearness gives us hope and comfort. May Your presence be more real to us now than ever before. Thank You.