It was nine days after my husband Blair had died. There had been family surrounding me during those shocking, sad days. A graveside service in a town three-hundred miles away. Then the next day, a Saturday, there was a memorial service at our church. It was beautiful. Blair had been a teacher in a high school nearby and the staff and some of the students were there. That wasn’t counting friends and relatives from faraway states who were also there. It was a beautiful tribute to the impact Blair had on many people.

Sunday came and most of the family came to church with me. I was surrounded by people who cared and mourned with me. A warm cocoon of love. After church, there was a meal provided at my home. It happened to be Super Bowl Sunday.  The Graybill family were football fans and many were glued to the television, rooting for their team. Others were at the dining table, looking a photos from the many photo albums we’d been using for display at his service.

While surrounded by so many, I had the brilliant idea that I’d like to watch the video of our wedding that had taken place only seventeen months earlier. I thought I would be comforted by seeing the very alive Blair. Several women–my sister, my daughter, daughter-in-law, my best friend, came upstairs with me to watch the wedding video in my bedroom. There we sat, waiting to watch that happy day on the screen.  As the scene unfolded, I saw my Blair, so handsome in his tuxedo, striding through the hallway, waiting to meet me, his bride. He was smiling and so alive!

And when I saw him, I crumbled onto the bed, in tears. I realized he was gone! That I’d never see him again in this life. In heaven, of course I knew I’d see him. But here, in this life, I would not. The shock of his sudden death was wearing off. I no longer felt peace and calmness. I felt devastation. My dream life as I had been living, was over. I collapsed in grief and wept like never before. I’d just awakened from the shock of his very sudden death.

Quickly, my friends surrounded me, wrapping their arms around me. Holding me in my pain. One by one, they began to pray. They asked God to give me peace and comfort, to help me in my distress. In their tears, they begged the Holy Spirit–who is the comforter–to surround me with his peace. And you know what? He heard their prayers and he did just that. He gave me peace that is unexplainable, like the peace after a storm. The quiet after the noise of the storm of loss.

I believe that unforgettable time of grief was a holy moment in my life. One of the rare times in my life where I experienced perfect peace. Although I am not now in that terrible pain of loss, I won’t forget that time when perfect peace surrounded me.

…in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV). 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.(2 Corinthians 1: 3 NLT). The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed (Psalm 34:18 NLT).

Beneath the surface is perfect peace.

I don’t know where you are today. Are you experiencing grief?  Is your spirit crushed, your heart broken? It isn’t always the death of a loved one you may be grieving.  It could be distress over a wayward child.  A loss of friendship. You are experiencing physical pain. Perhaps you’ve received a scary diagnosis from your doctor. You’ve just been told you’re fired. A spouse has told you they don’t love you any longer and want a divorce. Or, as in my experience, the death of a loved one. I encourage you to go to the One who can give you peace and comfort in your time of need.

“Lord, I don’t know who is reading this today, but I ask You to give them the peace You gave to me that Sunday afternoon so long ago. Let that person experience You as they never have before. I thank You that You are only a whisper away from us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

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