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The Ultimate Comforter

2 Corinthians 13:11
“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Acts 14:22 says, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” My sweet, sweet pupup recently passed away and it has been a challenging time for my family and I. Before I left for home, I was so encouraged by my classmates who showed me an abundance of love and sorrow for my loss. I had never experienced love in a way and manner that I had with them just a few days ago and even now, the leaders of IGNITE and the staff of Potter’s Field Ministries continue to send me their sincerest condolences, reminding me that I have an army praying for me back in Montana. The Lord never ceases to amaze me with the small, yet big ways He shows His love through others. Often times, when we face hardships, we tend to forget that our Heavenly Father is always with us and He is for us. After I received the message that my pupup had passed, I opened my Bible to Exodus 14, where Moses parted the Red Sea. I soon came to verse 13 which reads, “Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.”” As I was reading this chapter of Exodus, the song “No Longer Slaves” by No Longer They began to play on my iPod. For those of you who have never heard that song, the bridge sings, “You split the sea so I could walk right through it, my fears were drowned in perfect love; you rescued me and I will stand and sing: I am a child of God.” Let us never lose hope that the Lord is the ultimate comforter and that when we reach out to Him in times of need, He responds in the sweetest ways. 

Application
This week, as I grieve the passing of my pupup, I will stay close to the Lord and reach out to Him for comfort. 
- Pupup, thank you for giving my love for the beach, for always making sure we had enough to eat, and for always remember the good times. I pray that you are resting in the arms of Jesus, I love you. -

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