Sunrise, Sunset

I am blessed with a home that allows me to see a beautiful sunrise–as well as to see the sun set.

 

Which is which? Which is a sunrise? Sunset? Does it matter? I don’t think so. Both give me hope.

Grief Shared is grief diminished.

Grief shared is grief diminished. Who wants to hear about my grief? A friend? A relative? My pastor? Counselor? Grief group? All of those mentioned are good and helpful and do diminish our grief. I remember thinking when my late husband Bill died that I felt I didn’t need a grief support group. After all, I was a Christian and I had God. Six months after he was gone, I still felt terrible. So alone. I missed Bill so much. I found a grief group and it helped immensely. It didn’t take away the grief, but it was acknowledged by the people and facilitator in the group. The people in the group understood my pain and nodded in agreement when I told my story. Each week it was the same. I told my story of loss. There were things I had to do in my workbook each week that helped. There were presentations in the video that acknowledged my pain, but also gave me hope for the future. I realized I had to move through the grief to get to the other side. And I did get through the grief.

He was there.

The next time I experienced great loss was four years later. I’d found love again and it was wonderful but very abruptly, only seventeen months into my joy and happiness, my husband Blair, was ripped from me by a brain aneurysm. It was totally unexpected. I raged at my situation. I raged at God. It was different this time. I went to a counselor. I joined a grief group. And I sought God. I shared my grief with the grief group. I shared my grief with a counselor. But the most impactful of my grief was waiting on God. The One I earlier raged at. Who was there by my side, understanding like no other.

What about you? Are you grieving a loss you think you won’t get past? Do you feel so alone you can hardly bear it? There is One who understands you. Who guides you in your loss–even though sometimes it doesn’t feel that way. Right now, I am not grieving but I work with those who are. I am reminded weekly how difficult the death of a loved one is.

I am in a good place right now. But there are no guarantees. I don’t know my future, but I know the One who does. And He promises to be with me. He’s with you, too.

Which is the sunrise and which is the sunset? If you guessed sunrise on the right, you would be correct. But it really doesn’t matter. They are both winter sunrise and sunsets. Both are beautiful.

If you are interested in attending a grief group, we will be starting a new one in the new year. Message me and I’ll let you know the details. If you live in another part of the country, go to Griefshare.org and you can find a group in your area.

In the meantime, take hope as Teresa of Avila did. Remember God alone suffices. He really does.

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