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Suffering Together Bible in a Year: Psalms 135–136 1 Corinthians 12 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26 1 Corinthians 12:14–26 In 2013, seventy-year-old James McConnell, a British Royal Marine veteran, died. McConnell had no family, and staff from his nursing home feared no one would attend his funeral. A man tapped to officiate McConnell’s memorial service posted a Facebook message: “In this day and age it is tragic enough that anyone has to leave this world with no one to mourn their passing, but this man was family. . . . If you can make it to the graveside . . . to pay your respects to a former brother in arms, then please try to be there.” Two hundred Royal Marines packed the pews! These British compatriots exhibited a biblical truth: we’re tied to one another. “The body is not made up of one part, but of many,” Paul says (1 Corinthians 12:14). We’re not isolated. Just the opposite: we’re bound in Jesus. Scripture reveals organic interconnection: “If one member suffers, all the members suffer” (v. 26 ). As believers in Jesus, members of God’s new family, we move toward one another into the pain, into the sorrow, into those murky places where we would fear to go alone. But thankfully we do not go alone. Perhaps the worst part of suffering is when we feel we’re drowning in the dark all by ourselves. God, however, creates a new community that suffers together. A new community where no one should be left in the dark. Reflect & Pray When have you felt most alone? How does God’s grace, kindness, and friendship help you deal with loneliness? Is it true, God? Have You really placed me in a new community that knows and loves me in my suffering? Help me to believe this. 
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I don't recall a time of loneliness, but this article called to memory my husband's funeral. It was in the middle of the day, in the middle of the work week, and I did not expect many people to come. I was so amazed and blessed as people from my work place passed through the line, many could not stay for the service, but just wanted to express condolences. Our past pastor, who had moved away to take a national position, came through as he had made a stop in his travels to offer his support, and our church family filled the church that day. I was overwhelmed with their love. The burial was 30 miles away, and I expected just the family to make the drive, but as we rounded a curve in the highway, I was told to look behind us..... as far as I could see down the road, we were followed by cars and trucks with their lights on. The funeral director called ahead to the town police to direct traffic for us. and the cemetery was crowded with people standing because there were not enough chairs. I believe God did not want me to feel alone at such a time as I might not feel his presence..... but in the love of all those folks, I felt God's presence more than ever. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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Was beautiful and sad at the same time, but the Grace of God is enough..
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