I finally called my friend, Van, yesterday!
Van and I were best friends in high school, though I’m not sure what year I met him and we started hanging around each other.

Years ago he told me that he and his family had to walk away from their house because of mold. Nothing could be done.
I thought of how unfair that was – to just walk away from your home.

Then his wife, Sherri, began to have some health issues. The diagnosis was cancer.
She underwent all the steps to rid a body of this invader. There were days of hope and days in which despair would attack.

Through it all Van, Sherri, and the children kept their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
I guess this is the one thread, the one link that Van and I really have in common these days. We’ve drifted apart over the years but Christ has brought us back together.
He is a great link between two people – be it husband and wife or two old friends.

Earlier this year, Van and Sherri lost their beloved daughter Katie in a auto-accident.
(see This One is for Katie)
Then last month, September 15th, Sherri also went home to be with the Lord.

It would seem that this all is too much and I know that my friend – my brother is hurting. All I can offer is my continued friendship and my continued prayer.
There is also the great word of God that gives so much comfort.

This one always comes to mind; no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Cor 10:13 NKJV
The NLT says the temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Most Christians I meet seem to simply say, “God will not put anymore on you than you can bear!”
You better read it all again then! Because it just doesn’t say that!

Take Van and family; don’t you feel like all that has happened to them is more than a person can bear. I do!
Their strength is in Christ. Their escape from these life experiences is Christ.
Van is able to stand because of Jesus. He is able to get up another day because of Jesus. Life continues because of Jesus.

If you don’t have Jesus in your life then you have no idea what I am talking about. My encouragement to you is to inquire of a local pastor or a Christian that you know and ask how you can receive Jesus as your personal Savior.