When my mother passed away recently, I found comfort in the condolences of others, through the flowers, cards, and notes they sent, as well as phone calls and personal contact. Just a hug or a simple, “I’m praying for you,” helped so much during the difficult time. In addition to the comfort I received from family and friends, I was reminded of the verse of scripture in Isaiah 66:13 that says, “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.” Through the encouragement of others, I have felt the Lord’s presence and comfort during the days following my mother’s death.

It also gave me comfort to know that my mom is no longer suffering and is at peace with the Lord. Because she was a Christian, I know I will see her again some day.

What are some ways others have encouraged you during the loss of a loved one? How have you offered your condolences to someone during their time of grief?

We recently had relatives from Pennsylvania come to visit, and one of the first things my sister-in-law said to me when they arrived was, “I’m looking forward to getting to know you better while we are here.” I was surprised by that at first, as we have made many trips to Pennsylvania to visit my husband’s family over the years. However, after thinking about it awhile, I realized that during those trips, most of our visits have been in a group setting, and we never got the chance to say more than a few words to each person present.

In order to really get to know someone, you need to spend quality time together, asking questions about them, and sharing things about yourself. I learned a lot about my husband’s brother and his wife during their visit that I would never have known if we hadn’t spent a week together, and now I feel like I’ve made some new friends.

While pondering all of this, I thought about the time I spend in the presence of God. In order to get to know Him better, I need to spend time in His Word, and really talk to Him through prayer. Just a brief prayer here and there, or a quick glance at a passage in the Bible isn’t enough to help me really know the Lord. Is there someone in your life you need to get to know better? Are you spending enough time with God?

Everyone seems busy these days, and the Amish are no exception. Yet, despite their busyness, they still take the time to connect with family. Many Amish parents live close to their children and grandchildren, but some live quite a distance away. In my novel, “The Struggle,” Hannah’s mother had a difficult time accepting the fact that her daughter was moving to another state. I can relate to that a bit, because my own daughter lives in another state. However, when we’re unable to visit in person, we stay in touch through phone calls, emails and texting.

When I’m on the road during a book signing tour, I miss the family members who lives close to us, but it’s nice to know that when we return they’ll be there to welcome us home.

Does your family live close to you, or are they far away? What are some ways you deal with the separation, and how do you stay in touch?