The Bible for Women

Weekly Devotional

Grief

HER JOURNEY'S JUST BEGUN

a poem by Ellen Brenneman

Don't think of her as gone away--
her journey's just begun.
life holds so many facets--
this earth is only one.
Just think of her as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.
Think how she must be wishing
that we could know, today,
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of her as living,
in the hearts of those she touched
for nothinig loved is ever lost--
and she was loved so much.

I have friends and family members who are currently suffering the loss of loved ones.  I was prompted to write this devotional to hopefully provide some comfort and also to help in a small way with healing.

 There are many types of loss.  Some grieve the loss of a parent, a sibling, a child.  Some grieve a loss because of divorce, separation, a child whose soul is on the path of eternal destruction.  Some grieve over a lost friendship, a dear pet, a job.  We have many who are grieving a soldier whom they have not seen in months due to his or her service in foreign lands or war.  At some point in our lives, we will all suffer the loss of someone close to us.  For many of us, the loss will come too soon, unexpectedly, with no reason.  We will long for the explanation that we feel is owed to us and we may never find those answers.  Yet we grieve. 

Grief is physically and emotionally exhausting.  People who are grieving sometimes say and do things out of character for them.  We must be patient and understanding with those around us who are grieving.  This is our opportunity to serve them.  We need to send cards, make a phone call, remember anniversaries, birthdays and other special days.  We also need to be mindful that these are not the only things that give reminders for someone who is grieving.  A certain smell, a certain time of year, a certain food can make the grieving person very sad.  We do not need to rush our friends through their grief.  Give them time.  Remember that there is no time period on grieving.

If you are the person who is grieving, remember that this is your loss and everyone grieves in different ways.  It may help to keep a journal of your thoughts.  Be patient with your friends because they truly may not know what to say or do to help you.  Talk to God, cry to God, spend time with Him.  He wants to carry you through this difficult time.  In Matthew 11, Jesus says,"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  

Some members of the church in Florida started a website in which they minister to those who need help in healing from death of a child, parent, unfaithful children and other topics of grief.  You can visit their website at www.ourhopeonline.com.

I also encourage you to pick up a very encouraging book called “Tear Soup” by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen.  This book was given to me once and I found comfort in the concept of making a pot of “Tear Soup.”

May God bless you.  Margie