“Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
1 Thessalonians 4:17 NLT
The pandemic which began in 2020 resulted in unimaginable and unexpected grief for the entire world. If you are one of the many people who lost a loved one during that time or in 2021, I hope you will reach out to Jesus who loves us far more than we can imagine.
Jesus’s amazing statement, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (John 11:25 NLT, along with the promise that he will return gives me great comfort and hope that I will be reunited with my sister who passed from this earth on June 11, 2020.
As I remember these promises, I find the grace to grieve. After a three-month break, I am writing blog posts, again. My hope is that as I share my story, you will find the courage to share yours.
The grace to grieve is the grace to cleave–
Cling to Jesus when I’m tempted to leave,
Find in him strength for today,
When my sister, my friend, has gone away.
The grace to grieve is the grace to believe
Others can help me if I choose to receive
Them into my journey and openly weep.
We are all wounded and hurting sheep.
The grace to grieve is the grace to care
About others in pain, choose to be “there”.
When I choose to be present in their journey
My faith and love become more sturdy.
In grieving alone, we are never finished
Our sorrow is buried, not diminished.
In grieving, together, there are breakthroughs of laughter
In which we find strength for what will come after.
In grieving together, we discover fresh purpose
Actually, discover we have a surplus
Our hearts overflow with hope and love
And we share it with those who don’t have enough.