My grandma loved hosting parties. She loved to cook, feed others, and watch people gather together joyfully. I am fairly shy and always have been my entire life and still enjoyed her get togethers. Though just going to her house was great in of itself, even when it was just grandpa, her, and I. For grandmas house always felt welcoming, comforting and safe. She had this way of making me feel wanted the minute I walked through her door. She wanted to see me, she wanted to feed me, she wanted to hear my laughter and she wanted to hear all I had to say. That is why her house, even as she moved a few times over the years, was always my favorite place to be. Even many years later when she ended up in assisted living, I still enjoyed going to see her. For it wasn’t the space, the walls or the building that made her home special, it was her. Though she has been gone for quite a few years now, I still remember her warmth, kindness and love towards me, and I am grateful for the privilege of having had her in my life. Do you want to know something reassuring though? That even though she is gone and I can no longer go and see her I can still experience a love like that here on earth, though even more so. For God’s love is always here with us. He is kind, loving and looks out for us. He is safe and a place of comfort and joy. I know that I’ll see my grandma again someday when God calls us home. Though in the meantime, I am able to hold onto her love and still have an even more incredible love to hold here, for I have God’s love. I know that no matter where I am at, I can always feel love that surrounds me, because God’s love goes with me no matter where I am. His love goes with all of us, if we just choose to see Him. Friend, He is with us, always. I smile at the memories of my grandma and what a wonderful love to have felt, I am grateful God blessed me with her. Though I am also especially grateful, that we have such a loving Father, that won’t ever leave us. So, until I see her again, I can find joy in my Father who walks beside me, always.

Erin Fitts-Brower

He walks beside us

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 28:20 NIV

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”