One of the things I miss most about Joe is that he smiled at me every morning, and his eyes lit up. It made me feel special, loved, appreciated. Then God reminded me of a verse that I’ve known since childhood. My fifth-grade teacher wrote it in my autograph book! And it’s also the verse we put on the back of the prayer cards at Joe’s funeral service. Numbers 6:24-26^NKJV. “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you, and give you peace.” This truth I’ve known nearly all my life has become specific and meaningful in a deeper way.

God smiles at me. His face lights up!

He is blessing me, keeping me, being gracious to me. He is giving me peace.

I still miss Joe’s smile, but the LORD’s smile is not a poor substitute. It’s eternal, and it makes me feel special, loved, appreciated. It’s a blessing of amazing grace!!