Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24
And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galations 6:9
I clearly remember several weeks after my mom died, watching the rest of the world going back to their routine while my family was stuck in a fog of grief, sadness and loss. Faced with the insermountable challenge of pressing forward with a happy heart and acting "normal" or as normal as I was before - which isn't saying a lot, my siblings will attest to this. Anyway, it is a very lonely, frightening feeling to press on with a heart that aches beyond understanding.
I remember thinking, "if our mom could have just had ten more years or twenty more years" I have often thought or dreamed of all the memories and joy we could have had during another twenty years. We would have let her go at 65 instead of 45, right??
No, now I believe that would not have felt like enough time either. But I do know to treasure each day because each day is a gift.
I appreciated then as I appreciate now the faith in Jesus that my mom had and wanted for her children, encouraging friends, empathetic hearts and prayers.
When I remember just how exhausting grief can be and when I think of the pain of that, my thoughts turn to my sister Natasha.
I want thousands of prayers to go out to her, Reese and Lane and the baby they are now expecting, I want her to be surrounded by kind friends and compassionate hearts.
We know our parents will go before us. We hope it is when they are 85 or 90 years old - maybe older, not 45 - but we may be slightly prepared for a period of life on earth without our parents. From what I understand (even when I can't begin to relate or understand) NOTHING prepares one for the loss of their child.
2010 has been a year of big challenges and changes in perspective.
My children are blessings all the way around. I am not only blessed by the compassion I see in them, by the things they are learning and by their smiles and hugs - I am blessed by the work they are. Because they are here, and time with them is precious.
My sister is deep in her grieving. Faith, time and our prayers will help ease that, but it is her journey... her, Reese and Lane's journey. One we cannot take away, but maybe we can pray that
the pain is made less.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb --- so sweet for the soul and healing. I am thankful for conversations with friends. And let us not grow weary in well doing -- we must encourage one another. I pray that Natasha is encouraged and prayed for and that she finds some sunshine in each and every day.
4 comments:
Thank you for this reminder Michele. I think all of us can get caught up in what we are going through (however trivial it may be) and forget about what really, truly matters and how blessed we are! And yes, prayer does make a difference.
Proverbs 16:24 - thank you for sharing. Your words about grief were so honest Michele, and your families faith is awe inspiring. You all make me want to me a better Christian.
Bryan and I still have conversations about his Dad. It's been 9 years and we still cry. I don't think you ever stop needing your parents. He's 35 and still yearns for his Dad. I wish, too, that we had been able to have more time with him. Continuing to pray for you & for Natasha and her family. I cannot concieve what she is going through.
Well Said.
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