a day of mourning...

"Jesus replied:

 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself..." Matthew 22:37-39

I don't typically post 2 devotions a day, but today is not a typical day.  It all started this morning when we allowed our sweet Bella to go "home".  With heavy hearts, we let her go.  But not without a flood of emotions and gratitude of all she unselfishly gave us... unconditional love, pure loyalty, laughter, encouragement, faithfulness, protection and peace to name some.  She was not just a dog, she was our beloved fur girl. There are times we didn't always agree or like her ways, but i would take all her good and bad habits a million times over to experience the greatness of a friend she was to all our family. The saying is so true, the greater the love from a fur friend, the greater the loss and pain.

After releasing Bella to the heavenlies, we returned home to find President Carter's funeral in progress. We walked in during his grandson, Jake's, eulogy which caused me to stop, listen, laugh and cry, as well as Rev. Andrew Young and the other eulogies that followed.  I miss leaders like Carter.  President  Carter was not just a President, he was more importantly a great man and humanitarian.  A man of respect, integrity, truthfulness, humbleness and faithfulness just to site a few of his honorable traits.  As President (as with all Presidents),  there were times people didn't agree or support his decisions.  Some might say he was not a great President because of decisions or issues that personally affected their wallets.  I'm not sure if I agree with this thinking anymore, especially when it deters efforts to improve the well being and care of others.  Even so, i would take all his good and bad decisions one million times over to experience the greatness of a person he was to ALL mankind.  

I'll say it again... the greater the love from a person, the greater the loss and pain.

I'm feeling a tremendous, painful loss today for my family and my country.  

God bless you, President Carter, and rest in peace.  And if you see Bella, give her a pat for us.

"He has shown you, friend, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal