Losing a loved one is hard. Losing a spouse is a really hard. Losing a spouse unexpectedly at a young age is even harder. To help those who experience such loses, Stewart Smith leads GriefShare @ FBC.

Earlier this week I was leaving the office late one evening when I bumped into one of our members in the parking lot. With him was a woman I didn’t recognize. Turned out it was his younger sister who lives about 45 minutes from our church.

Her husband passed away in August. She was coming to GriefShare. It was her fourth week. We spoke briefly and the tears reflected the pain she was feeling. At that moment I was thankful for Stewart’s heart and the ministry he leads.

But what blessed me most was her brother. He had his workbook in hand and was attending the sessions with his little sister. I thought to myself, “That is how family is supposed to work.” I was proud of him.

I drove home knowing that one of our men – a deacon – was a kind and caring man. I drove home thankful God allowed me to see His grace at work in the midst of great pain.

I was reminded that God’s grace often shows up in the form of another person. As believers we are His vessels of grace.

Pastor Steve Hogg