As a family we have been talking about this analogy that my sister had recently read on a blog she reads….
This is how my sister wrote about it….
If the grace of God is a net that saves us from the darkest, most hopeless places, then all of you are the edge-holders. You are allowing all of us to sit in the middle and be held for a while. Someday, we will get our legs under us again and make our way back to the edges. We will be better edge holders because of what we learned from you. I cannot thank you enough – this community of people we know that spans the world has been a bright spot in a very dark time.
I wonder if you have ever had edge holders in your life….
I wonder if you know how it feels to be saved from the darkest and most hopeless places…..
I wonder if you know how it feels to be an edge holder…
This week we are sitting in the middle of the net.
The edges feel far away and yet no matter where I turn, I see the faces and feel the strength of our edge holders….
I want to be a better edge holder as a result of this experience, Len would want us to return to holding the edges….
But not quite yet…..
Going to bed tonight thankful for the grace of God and the community of believers who surround us, love us and carry us through this very difficult time!
As we gain more life experience we tend to grow more compassionate and understanding or we grow more bitter. None of us knows exactly what God’s plans are for any one of us, however, I believe being an edge-holder must be one of the most important deeds we can fulfill. I had never heard the concept of the edge-holder before. I have always thought of it as being a light in the darkness. Those who grow more compassionate and understanding will have a stronger beam of light or be a better edge-holder than those who have become bitter.
Your sister Arlene has been an amazing edge-holder for me and my family.
My heart goes out to you and your family. Isn’t it amazing that often in the darkest moments that everything becomes so clear.
Trish, I remember the time you were our family edge holder.
Allow your heart to “take in” every prayer, love hugs and comfort words as you are in the middle of the net.
Trusting you in your Heavenly Father’s grip, Twyla
Trish, thank you for the way you are sharing your journey with grief over losing your brother, Len. Your family’s grace and courage during this unthinkable loss somehow brings to mind this article of our faith: “I love the Lord because He has heard the voice of my supplication.” May you be comforted by knowing how profoundly your cries are heard.