Thanks to some Karen's Korner readers who responded to Friday's post of one of Merry's pass-along emails.

So how does a mom; any mom or parent, respond to or live way the death of a child?

I wanted to share a couple of thoughts from my personal experiences

It is a day-to-day thing.

It is a God-thing. He knew these kinds of things would happen to some of us. And like always, He has answers for us in advance.

Most of the time it is words in the Bible. Sometimes it is in a thought. Or the words from others.

All of us have to remember 'who' we are. But also "Whose" we are!

A handful of helpful Bible verses for me:

"Why be discouraged and sad? Hope in God!"   ~ Psalm 42:5

"God is my refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble."    ~ Psalm 46:1

"Always be joyful......always be thankful."      ~ I Thessalonians 5:16 & 18

"I want you to trust Me in your times of trouble for I will rescue you and you will give my glory."     ~ Psalm 50:15

 "When the Holy Spirit (given to each of us when we believe) controls our lives He will produce: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control...."          ~ Galatians 5:22 &23

Living successfully for the past 18 years without Merry has never been about Karen Weld. It has been about leaning on Him. Learning from Him. God never said we would 'feel' certain ways all the time. He told us to be thankful. He told us to trust. He told us to believe what we can't see.

And when I don't do it. Or don't want to. I ask Him to help.

That is where the 'joy' comes in!