My family and I went to Arkansas this week.  We traveled up the Pig Trail in the Ozark National Forest to the tiny town of Huntsville, AR.  Six generations of my husband Thom’s family are buried there, and we went to bury the first of the next generation, Thom’s Uncle Jim.

Though it rained off and on, the temperature was not too hot.  The funeral was held at the Methodist church, which has a giant stained glass window honoring Thom’s grandparents, Roscoe and Laura.  The service was beautiful and meaningful, reflecting Uncle Jim’s belief in God.

We drove a long way to the graveyard, parked, and then hiked our way up to the grave site.  My father-in-law performed the service while we listened.  There were 20 of the 25 members of our Cox immediate family present, including Thom’s three brothers and their families.  Many of the uncles, aunts, and cousins from Uncle Jim’s extended family stood with us in a circle around the grave.

I stood behind my mother-in-law.  Both of our husbands had functions to perform, as did her other three sons.  It didn’t seem awkward, but we were both alone.  About half way through the graveside service I noticed the way she was standing.  Her body language told me that she was having a hard time emotionally.  She seemed to feel her solitude  and probably thought that she had no one to hold onto for support at such a difficult time. I realized that she probably didn’t even know I stood only a foot behind her.

I stepped forward and put my arms around her.  Her response was immediate: she grabbed my hands,  pulled them around her waist, and pushed herself back toward me in a hug.  She sobbed a little, and relaxed her posture.  She wasn’t alone.  Although she really already knew it, now she experienced it.

I have been thinking a lot about presence — about how God never leaves us.  He promises to be our rear guard.  Do we go through life like my dear mother-in-law was going through that funeral, thinking that we have to bear all things by ourselves?  His presence is always there, waiting for us to relax into His arms and to invite Him to help us bear our burdens.

Have you pulled His arms around you today?  I did.

Sheri Ferguson Cox

Sheri Cox is Wellspring’s Ministry Team Overseer. She says of her occupation: ” I try to serve God wherever I am but I suppose my main occupation is homemaker for my husband Thom! I was a successful homeschool teacher for 18 years (retired summer of 2008). Since January of 2006 I have served as a trained, volunteer mediator for the Dispute Settlement Center of Alamance County. We serve the District Court doing family and community mediation. In December of 2007 I took on the role of fitness trainer at a local Curves. I work a few hours a week there and it gives me an opportunity to really minister to the ladies that I meet.”