Hi ~

Grief is a complicated ball of emotions that can't easily be described in a few words.

I've written about this before, especially in my work on "bitterness," which almost always means "grief" in the Bible.

Grief includes sadness, for sure. But it also encompasses anger, numbness, fear, and so much more. It is an overwhelm of heavy emotions alternating with the shutdown of emotions.

If you've ever experienced grief, you may find that it's difficult to describe.

But you may also see, once you have some distance from it, that through it you have become a deeper person.

And when you do begin to understand grief--whether it is through your own experience or through sitting with a friend--you will have that greater heart of compassion and empathy for others. The heart of Jesus.

I offer to you some beautiful words from my friend Donna Giovanni, who has experienced a significant share of grief in her life, continuing to take it to our loving Father.

I pray that her words will be a consolation to you or someone you know who has experienced grief.

***

O my Redeemer, GRIEF has come to visit me once again…

Ever so gently knocking on my door at first…

Hesitant to make itself known,

Seeming to enter incrementally into my heart of hearts.

As I fall into my review of what seems to never have an ending,

Causing me finally to collapse and weep uncontrollably,

I fall into your open Arms of Love...

For there is no other who can console me such as You, my Love.

I know this grief is really a gift...one that I would choose to eliminate,

 But alas, I cannot, for this gift brings forth depths of realities that can come

 No other way.

I know You cause all things to work for the good of those who love You

and are called

and I see this grief fitting into your miraculous good

and I see You share in my grief, with your heart of compassion.

You know I can only understand in part, so I cast myself into your heart…

And weep for all the losses that I experienced through the years

That cannot be regained…

So that all I can do is count on your flowing graces to envelop me

to accept what I find impossible to accept…

And yet, in You I find that I can…

Thank you, my Savior, for sharing in my grief

So I can perceive in a deeper way more of Who You Are…

IN me and ever FOR me…

No matter what and in spite of…YOU ARE…ever present…

LOVE

enveloping this once shattered soul, restoring me, to You.

I know that you see the image of me that you had

before the foundation of the World

and your glory ever shines with your sovereignty in it all…

I, even I, am here as your little jewel,

And I simply bow my head before you…

And humbly say…

Amen.

***

Donna has graciously said she would be glad to connect with anyone who reads this who would like to connect with her. Simply reply to this email to let me know.

Longing with you to walk with those who have experienced grief,

Rebecca