Northside Beacon

As I reflect on the past week, the words of the Psalter have been heavy on my heart. David writes in Psalm 147:3 "He is the One who heals the brokenhearted, and who binds up their wounds," My heart goes out to the Kenneth Stanley family during this difficult time. Kenneth was a godly man, a faithful husband, a loving father and grandfather, and a servant in his church. He will be greatly missed.

The flooding in the Texas Hill Country over the weekend has been heavy on my heart. I have two daughters who will be going into third and fourth grades. The stories and images from Camp Mystic really hit home. Two weeks ago, we dropped our nine year old off at summer camp. She brought a trunk like many of the girls at Camp Mystic filled with bathing suits, clothes, toiletries, bedding, sunscreen, bugspray, a camera, and other camp essentials.

 Last night she read some of the stories from her journal about her week at Frontier Camp. I began thinking of the many moms and dads today who would do anything to hear these stories of their daughters camp experience. Stories of all the fun they had in crafts or how they couldn't open their shampoo bottle on the first day. It is gut wrenching to think about how difficult it must be for these parents today. All of the plans and dreams that they had for their children were gone in a moment. If you have kids hug them a little tighter. Let them know that you love them and thank God for them. Pray that the peace of God will be felt by the parents of these children.

I am reminded in times like these that God is near to the brokenhearted. I know that the God who created the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land is a personal God. He cares for you and He cares for me. He cares for those girls, the counselors, and the many others who lost their lives. He cares for their families.

God is near to the brokenhearted. He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. We need Him.

Keep On!