"I Loved You Then" by 33 Miles

"Pain touches everyone
Heartache falls on every heart
And all of us go through the storm
It doesn't matter who you are
And you're up against the wind
And you feel you've just lost your way
Listen to me say...

I loved you then, I love you now
I will love you tomorrow
When this world breaks you down
I will give you strength to stand
Look to me, take my hand and just believe
Before this day ever began, I loved you then

Time changes everything
Moments fly by like the wind
You can try to hold on so tight
But you'll never get time back again
You feel stuck with your mistakes
Can't turn anything around
And it seems there's no way out

I loved you then, I love you now
I will love you tomorrow
When this world breaks you down
I will give you strength to stand
Look to me, take my hand and just believe
Before this day ever began, I loved you then

I won't let you go, not even for a minute
So don't lose hope
Pain touches everyone
Heartache falls on every heart

I loved you then, I love you now
I will love you tomorrow
When this world breaks you down
I will give you strength to stand
Look to me, take my hand and just believe
Before this day ever began, Before this day ever began,
I loved you then, I loved you then"

The past few weeks have been a difficult time in my life. I had what I thought was an excellent job prospect for a job that was 'perfect in every way for me' but it was not in God's will for me. And right before that something that was much more difficult - my dear Aunt Helen - dad's only sibling went to be with the Lord. Let me share a little with you about her.

The story of her and my father's journey is incredible : her and dsd's mom died as Aunt Helen was born. Dad's father (my grandfather) did not know how to raise children so they were sent to an orphanage for a year. Then Aunt Helen was sent to what was Czechoslovakia to be raised be her grandmother. She came back to the United States when she was 16 not knowing a word of English. She meets her brother really for the first time. Then her and dad's father died (most likely of a heart attack). Right after that Wrold War II hit with a fury and she had to say goodby to dad. Aunt Helen was blessed beyond words when she met her husband of 57 years Uncle Smokey. I could tell you what a great cook she was and how anything she made melted in your mouth - from turkey to ham to desserts she had the midas touch. She loved me as she loved her two children - I was very blessed. She was there for dad when mom had emergency surgery a few years ago comforting dad. And one of the best things that I think she ever did was get mom going after dad passed away - she got her to a senior card and exercise class. Then one health setback after another. And finally God called her home. She was a few days past 86 and dad died when he was 86 (on his birthday)

I put the lyrics to this great song by 33 Miles to remind us that Jesus love never, ever goes away - it never did for dad and Aunt Helen. It is not going away for me (despite the setbacks and frustrations of a job search during one of the darkest times every economically in our country's history) as I know I have friends who are praying for me.

Jesus loved you then when he gave his life on the cross. And he loves you now - right where you are.