In Loving Memory

My beloved baby brother passed away unexpectedly this past week. Tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. our family will see him to his final resting place here on earth.

We who love him –  siblings, children and best friends – feel his loss profoundly. But we have placed the burden of our grief on the shoulder of our Heavenly Father.

Truly, GOD has been our comfort, our peace and our place of rest this past week. We remain firm in our faith. Our GOD will strengthen us; He will help us; He will hold on to us with His righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Our hope is sure.

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. 

Psalm 33: 20-22

The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.

For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust.

Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here.

But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear Him.

His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey His commandments! 

Psalm 103:13-18

R.I.P. Michael Christopher Richards

Praise to our GOD! Gracious and loving Father, YOU know the weaknesses of our spirits and the limits of our days; that we are no more than dust blown about by the wind and grass that wither away. YOU alone hold life and death in the palm of your hand and our hope is in YOU and YOUR promise of life everlasting for those who fear YOU. We mourn the loss of our loved one, but we are comforted by the peace that only YOU can give – the peace that surpasses all understanding. We will not be unshaken. We will yet praise YOU, our LORD and our GOD. In JESUS’ Holy NAME. Amen.

Still by GOD’s WORD and prayer!

Cecile