She Put Her Mom in the Freezer
Wednesday’s Verse:
From John 1:5 ESV
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
While sitting during my chemo infusion yesterday, I saw an article on the NY Post website about the federal government releasing more names of people arrested for committing Social Security fraud. The story took a dark turn when information about a woman in Illinois was revealed who collected her mother’s monthly Social Security check for years following her mother’s death. The eye-opening part of the story: the daughter put her mom in the freezer after she died.
Stories like this are hard to take in. A mother’s death, her body put on ice, and her daughter fraudulently collecting her mom’s Social Security—everything about it feels cold and wrong. It confronts us with a kind of darkness we would rather keep at a distance.
As Christians, we are not taught that sin isn't bad or that we aren't capable of doing these dark things. Sin corrupts everything that God has created.
However, Christ went to that place of darkness for us. He forgave us of all our sins. The dark ones that we don't like to talk about. On the cross, He took all of our sins upon Himself and rose from the dead to show us that there is hope beyond death.
Maybe this story can help us realize the small things we allow into our lives that let darkness in. Not telling the truth. Ignoring someone who may need us. Or not allowing ourselves to grieve. We cannot help ourselves by trying to cover up the darkness in our lives. But by bringing it to Christ, we can find redemption.
Be thankful that God will forgive your sins. Even the ones you don't want to admit to.
✝️ A Prayer for Today
Merciful Father, when we hear of the darkness that comes from humanity’s sinning, help us not to become overwhelmed or feel righteous above others. Continue to send Your light in our lives and help us love those around us who need us. In Your Son’s name, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Photo by Dev Benjamin on Unsplash