The Journey of Grief...a Reflection

The Journey of Grief As we face the journey of grief, no one hands us a map, clearly marked with when we must navigate what, or how, and no one hands those around us a map either,with a distinctly highlighted path from starting point to finish line of grief’s journey.On the journey of grief, each landscape varies; its hilltops and valleys uniquely individual,uncharted, and ever so personal. Sometimes, on its journey, grief grants pitstops where, for a glorious minute or hourWe forget that we are sad, forget bitter loss as we taste and treasure, if only for a littlea hint of sweeter days to come…Then the weight of sadness rushes back in, its ebb and flow without cut and dry rhythms.Some days sorrow almost overwhelms us with longing for what will never be again;Longing to hear their voice, to see their smiles and tears and, feel their hugs.Longing for new stories about him or her. But there are no new storiesSo, we recall the old ones again and laugh or cry,in a tender effort to keep precious memories alive! In the journey of grief, we hurt for ourselves but we also hurt for fellow-travelers/mourners.And in our human sorrow-tender nature we want to help them;To ease suffering by easing their weight of sadness;The very weight that God allows for us to discover firsthand the glorious power of Him;His Very present Help, His comfort, His strength!The very weight we want to eradicate is the weight that draws us to our knees!To our personal Gethsemanes, to learn utter surrender and echo the prayer of JesusNot spared from pain and sorrow as He prayed ‘not my will but Thine’ And because of Jesus, the believer’s journey of grief is not traveled alone or without hope.For the believer the promise in Rom.8:28, that God works all things for good to those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose, is truth, is hope, is reality on a timeline beyond our control or comprehension. On the topic of Life’s burdens J.R. Miller wrote,In every burden that God lays upon us there is a blessing for us if only we will take it.Our pain and sorrow, endured with sweet trust and submissionleave us with life purified and enriched, with more of Christ in us. Is there any greater good that God could work than ‘more of Christ in us’? I treasure now, more than ever, the words of Jesus when He comforted Martha after the death of her brother Lazarus; in John 11:25-26Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” What glorious comfort and hope transcends deepest grief, when we believe this!Though grief is great, hope is greater. Do you Believe This? When Death, the Scythe that ceases Time, gathers a loved one beyond reachDo you believe? Does Heaven’s clime become longing's lamenting roarThough sorrow staggers 'neath the weight of lessons love must ever teachDo you turn eyes toward a Gate that gleams far fairer than before When Death delivers Farewell's rift and stuns the grasp of mortal kenDo you believe? does God’s grace-gift fill sorrow with hope over-joyedBecause you know, though tears may flow, God keeps His promises. AmenThough Death is a grim reaper, oh, how dear the hope that spans grief’s void When Death reminds we who remain how small-swift-sacred is life's leaseWhen earthly loss is Heaven's gain does Heaven suddenly draw near?Do we believe? with hurting hearts do we turn to the Prince of PeaceTrusting His will till sight imparts the face of God and loved ones dear When Death, with one fell swoop subdues the Soul’s dust-to-dust vestibuleThen it will be to late to choose who we will trust or serve; oh prayDo you believe in He who made the hope/home of Heaven possibleAre you prepared should Death’s swift blade cut your life to the quick today? Do you believe and do you love He who does not leave or forsakeIs salvation’s solace enough to console sorrow’s weeping wailFor God so dearly loves and hears us; He draws nearer when hearts breakThrough His Word He gently cheers us with goodness that will not fail Janet Martin