Thank you Clarence.
Good site that you have there.
Since I have just suffered a stroke, albeit a minor one, having those of my faith around me is helpful.
Having lost the finest woman on the planet two years ago, the ideal wife and mom for 38 years, I’ve been through the grief crawl. I wrote a book about it.
She and I are believers, with all our hope in His death and resurrection.
I would describe her step into Paradise as a comfort, the prize for faith and faithfulness. But we’re not giddy with celebration. We lost what she brought to our family; peace, safety and confidence. That’s a big pair of shoes.
Amen brother.
Even Jesus wept when confronted with the death of Lazarus. And if a loved one were to travel to a distant location that allowed no contact I would be sorrowful. Your analogies don’t connect with me at all and seem to dismiss the natural and healthy feelings of grief that accompany the loss of a loved one. I say this as a Christian brother.
Amen!
My only child died two years ago this May. My heart is broken. May God Bless you
While I agree with you that we must rejoice that our loved ones are now with God, I don’t see that as resolving our grief.
We hope and believe that we will be reunited with them, of course, and take some solace in that.
But we mourn them, their presence in our daily lives, the warmth of the relationship we had with them (most of the time) - and the regret for the times we struggled with one another. How we wish we could have a do-over for those rougher spots. We grieve for ourselves, our feelings of brokenness, of emptiness without their being by our sides.
My husband died in March of 2012. He died from Parkinson’s with Lewy Body. I was his sole cargiver throught his long illnes, and kept him at home with hospice helping me until the end. Of course, I feel joy and relief that he is with God, and no longer suffering.
I still have a huge hole in my life and my heart, however. Most of the time I get along quite well, and have adjusted. But, your post makes me feel deficient, as failing, as if my faith should eliminate any grief and pain that I feel because of not having him with me for all these years.
I think we must find a better way to console those who grieve. You are too close to the edge of blaming those of us who have lost children and husbands. I don’t think it is an either-or situation. Grief at the loss of the relationship, but solace that someday our natural grief will end, and we will meet again.
I do keep it to myself, however, tucked away inside my heart. Your post asking for my thoughts is why I am responding. Everyone grieves differently, and there is no one “right way” to grieve as a Christian, in my opinion.
Lost Mrs. Stick 10 months 11 days, 45 weeks 2 days, or 317 days ago. Married 49 years. 2 days ago would have been 50 years
Thanks. his is very appropriate for me today.
This is the day my dad very suddenly died, many years ago.
Thank you for posting this.