The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Grieving is something that never leaves us. Ever. It stays as close to us as our shadows. It is always there. One thing I know to be truth – no matter my circumstances – the closer I stay to God who is my light – the smaller my shadow is. It is there I find peace. It is there I find grace to forgive. It is there I find the courage to go on.
John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
I’ve been going back through some of my journals from the early days when my grief was rawest – new. In those times, I thought there would never be a chance of recovering from it. It makes me wonder now how we all managed to make it – going through the motions of hospitals and funerals. Our lives ravaged.
In the midst of this my dear friend was the victim of a brutal home invasion. Brutal. One day I will write more of her story which is never far from my mind even as a few years have passed. She remains an inspiration to me.
Other dear friends experienced the murder of mom and their handicapped son. They shared an incredible post about it this week as it has been five years.
How is it possible to survive grief?
Redemption. From anger directed at God. Grace. Spending time with God. Rejection. Withdrawing from God. Renewal. Returning to God.
Grief moves us. Grief keeps us off balance. Grief keeps us seeking. Grief keeps us hiding from memories.
Grief isolates. Grief destroys.
God knows where we are when we grieve. God knows how our hearts break – He created them. His breaks too. God waits for us. God knows where to find us when we hide. God understands. God grieves.
Psalm 39:12
“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and give ear to my cry;
hold not your peace at my tears!
Sharing our grief with others is part of our healing. Someone in this coffee shop I am sitting in right now is struggling hard to come up for air in their grieving. They, too, are just going through the motions. May we all be a light to the community around us. Care about others as they move through their journey of grief. No one expects you to make it go away – just listen – love – and maybe share a hug too.
“Lord, we come to You right now, asking You to touch each hurting heart. Few of us are untouched by grief. Some of us have carried it almost a lifetime. Please bring Your light into our presence. Chase away the shadows of darkness. Chase away the fear the darkness brings with it. Light up our paths as we desperately try to find our way to a better, more peaceful existence. We praise You. We thank You for being the light that dispels the dark. We love You Lord for loving us. Forgive us when we doubt. Goodness, Lord, we struggle. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.”