68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
This section of John 6 truly saved me on May 14, 2016, when I came home to find my husband had taken his own life. I spend the night at the home of friends, pacing the floor most of the night singing “You’re a Good, Good Father,” reminding myself of the goodness and love of God in spite of what had just happened.
There are those who walks away from God in times like these, but Peter’s confession here reverberated in my mind: to Whom (or what) else could I go? To drugs? Alcohol? Distraction? No, nothing could comfort my soul and keep me moving forward except the life-giving words of Christ. To whom could I go? Only to Him because even without answers to “why?,” He was my only hope
Thank you for sharing this part of your story, Deidre, and by it, affirming once again to us that hear it, that Peter’s words are true and resonate so deeply with so many of us in the darkest moments of our lives. I love how God’s Spirit brought a song to you to be your memorial stone to forever mark in that chapter of your life with His faithfulness. Thank you
Thanks Sandra. I think I will actually create a memorial stone for my garden with that title and this verse reference as a visual reminder that God was there and will always be there!
These words could not be more timely. As I’m reading the devotional, my dad is in Hospice Care in New Port Richey. My dad became a believer in 1980 at the age of 45. He’d spent a good 30+ years as an alcoholic (he began drinking at age 12!). He’s been sober ever since and his transformation led me (like Peter with Andrew) to go see this Jesus whom changed my dad so radically overnight!
But death …. And while we know resurrection life is ours (and his), death still robs us of the people we care about and love. Sometimes not in such great ways. My dad’s been battling Alzheimer’s for years and it’s coming calling quite strongly now. It’s robbed him of his ability to communicate clearly, to have a sound mind, to know where he is and why. But today, even amidst the fogginess of his brain, he was able to communicate “I’m glad you’re here”. I know death doesn’t gain the ultimate victory but -man— it really stinks this side of heaven
Dear Deirdre, you got a precious gift today from your dad. “ I’m glad you’re here.” He obviously loves you very much. Thank you for sharing your story. May God grant you his peace this night.
Thanks for your kind reminder of the incredible gift of just those few words. My dad went to his heavenly reward yesterday at 12:23 am. My hubby and I were with him up until his last breath — praying, reading, and singing hymns he loved. It’s a bittersweet time but am so thankful we were able to be there.
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
This section of John 6 truly saved me on May 14, 2016, when I came home to find my husband had taken his own life. I spend the night at the home of friends, pacing the floor most of the night singing “You’re a Good, Good Father,” reminding myself of the goodness and love of God in spite of what had just happened.
There are those who walks away from God in times like these, but Peter’s confession here reverberated in my mind: to Whom (or what) else could I go? To drugs? Alcohol? Distraction? No, nothing could comfort my soul and keep me moving forward except the life-giving words of Christ. To whom could I go? Only to Him because even without answers to “why?,” He was my only hope
Thank you for sharing something so personal. He is indeed our only hope.
Thank you for sharing this part of your story, Deidre, and by it, affirming once again to us that hear it, that Peter’s words are true and resonate so deeply with so many of us in the darkest moments of our lives. I love how God’s Spirit brought a song to you to be your memorial stone to forever mark in that chapter of your life with His faithfulness. Thank you
Thanks Sandra. I think I will actually create a memorial stone for my garden with that title and this verse reference as a visual reminder that God was there and will always be there!
These words could not be more timely. As I’m reading the devotional, my dad is in Hospice Care in New Port Richey. My dad became a believer in 1980 at the age of 45. He’d spent a good 30+ years as an alcoholic (he began drinking at age 12!). He’s been sober ever since and his transformation led me (like Peter with Andrew) to go see this Jesus whom changed my dad so radically overnight!
But death …. And while we know resurrection life is ours (and his), death still robs us of the people we care about and love. Sometimes not in such great ways. My dad’s been battling Alzheimer’s for years and it’s coming calling quite strongly now. It’s robbed him of his ability to communicate clearly, to have a sound mind, to know where he is and why. But today, even amidst the fogginess of his brain, he was able to communicate “I’m glad you’re here”. I know death doesn’t gain the ultimate victory but -man— it really stinks this side of heaven
Dear Deirdre, you got a precious gift today from your dad. “ I’m glad you’re here.” He obviously loves you very much. Thank you for sharing your story. May God grant you his peace this night.
Thanks for your kind reminder of the incredible gift of just those few words. My dad went to his heavenly reward yesterday at 12:23 am. My hubby and I were with him up until his last breath — praying, reading, and singing hymns he loved. It’s a bittersweet time but am so thankful we were able to be there.