Proverbs 27:27~Thou Shalt Have Goats' Milk

My best milker's kids, Glow and Moon

Dear readers,

Some of you may know that I have goats. I drink my goats' milk and make cheese and butter.

God knows the wonderful properties of goat milk for He mentions it in Proverbs 27:27:

"And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens."

That about covers it for a family, doesn't it? God is saying there will be an abundance of goats' milk.

What does this have to do with the loss of my son? Or the loss of your loved one?

When Joshua died by suicide, I craved dairy foods. I felt guilty for indulging in them, but looking back I understand the foods gave me comfort. It helped me to not resort to stronger drink.

Four years after Joshua died, my baby brother Eric died as a direct result of the Iraq war. Joshua had favored Uncle Eric in every way. I grew closer to Eric after Joshua died, for Eric and Joshua thought a lot alike. So when Eric died suddenly, it was more than I thought I could bear.

After Eric's funeral service, I came back home and found a source of goats' milk. I drank it morning, noon and night. I made hot cocoa with my goats' milk. I drank it plain. I made cheese. Not only did this comfort me as I grieved over the loss of Eric, but I decided to buy my own goats and start a farm.

Fast forward to six years. I have had as many as six goats at a time. I enjoy them for all their curious natures and how they enjoy my pats and hugs. I laugh out loud when a goat kid twirls in the air like a ballerina.

Ah, and the milk. It is delicious here on my Nana's Goat Farm.

Thank You, Father, for making the perfect food of goats' milk. You knew it could also be a comfort in our time of sorrows. In Jesus' holy name, I'm grateful. Amen.

Until next time . . . look for the simple blessings.

Psalm 116:4~Deliver My Soul

From left to right: Heinrich in the background, Joshua's dog, my husband and me 2010

Dear readers,

The Psalmist writes:

"Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul."

Just when I've adjusted to life without my son Joshua with more days of joy and less grief, the anniversaries and the celebrations yank me down. 

I remember then to call upon the name of the Lord. He's an instant comfort that no one else can give, nor any substance like food or drink can satisfy. I'm still sad, dear readers, but Jesus delivers my soul from the too heavy burden of loss. My heart is lighter as He carries me.

Another trigger besides holidays and anniversaries, can be when I'm not feeling well. Maybe it's an illness, or a minor or major injury. Grief will resurface and compound the current suffering that has no connection to the loss of Joshua.

Grief is complicated.

Jesus is not.

I'm complicated.

He still loves me.

Praise the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Until next time . . . let's read our Bibles and learn more about Jesus.

Psalm:116:1~I Love the Lord

My two sons, Jason & Joshua

Dear readers,

"I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications." KJV

You may be wondering how I can agree with this verse, since my son died by suicide nine years ago. I've had to really work through this idea, because I did pray for my son.

Someone said to me right after my son died, "Maybe God did answer our prayers. Joshua is no longer suffering."

Well, maybe. Maybe not.

After nine years, I've seen a pattern of when God answers yes and when He answers no.

God has always said yes when I pray for my spiritual growth. That is God's priority, helping us to become more like Jesus. I came to that realization about four years ago, and this fact has caused me to love and cling to Lord God even more than before.

As to other prayers, I can only say we can pray for people, but we have no control over what others do. Many times the prayers I pray for my loved ones are a yes, because I am careful to ask for God's will in the process. And I am careful to ask that, above all, the person I'm praying for will grow to know God better.

There may be two parts to why I feel my prayers weren't answered regarding my son.

As far as my son goes, he was taking SSRI medications for depression and anxiety. He chose not to get off of them. He saw they were not working for him, but he continued to take them.

On the other hand, maybe I was not asking God the right request for Joshua. I certainly didn't know he was contemplating suicide. Joshua hid that very well from his family.

Holy Father, we are but feeble children of Yours. We stumble about much of the time, but we are still Yours, if we've accepted Jesus as our Savior. Please continue to guide my mind, my words, and my heart so that I may help others in some small way who've lost children to suicide. In Jesus' holy name, I ask. Amen.

Until next time . . . please contact me if you have thoughts on this topic. I'm very open to debate.