Many of my friends and most of my children lean towards agnosticism much of the time. I too have my moments of detachment from the idea of God or invisible things. When i would rush to Steve with the latest surge of familial questioning he would simply answer, 'It's all true, Melanie, it really is.' I knew it was for me, but Steve had the particular capacity of believing it for others too. Maybe that is what a pastor really is, really does.
My good friend sent me this hymn this morning.
Another one for us to live by:
If death my friend and me divide,
Thou dost not, Lord, my sorrow chide,
Or frown my tears to see;
Restrained from passionate excess,
Thou bidst me mourn in calm distress
For them that rest in Thee.
I feel a strong immortal hope,
Which bears my mournful spirit up
Beneath its mountain load;
Redeemed from death, and grief, and pain,
I soon shall find my friend again
Within the arms of God.
Pass a few fleeting moments more
And death the blessing shall restore
Which death has snatched away;
For me Thou wilt the summons send,
And give me back my parted friend
In that eternal day.
charles wesley