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 hour
We forget that we are sad,
forget bitter loss as we taste and treasure,
if only for a little
a 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 stories
So, 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 Jesus
Not 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 submission
leave 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 11:25-26
Jesus 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 reach
Do you believe? Does Heaven’s clime become longing's lamenting roar
Though sorrow staggers 'neath the weight of lessons love must ever teach
Do you turn eyes toward a Gate that gleams far fairer than before
When Death delivers Farewell's rift and stuns the grasp of mortal ken
Do you believe? does God’s grace-gift fill sorrow with hope over-joyed
Because you know, though tears may flow, God keeps His promises. Amen
Though 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 lease
When earthly loss is Heaven's gain does Heaven suddenly draw near?
Do we believe? with hurting hearts do we turn to the Prince of Peace
Trusting 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 vestibule
Then it will be to late to choose who we will trust or serve; oh pray
Do you believe in He who made the hope/home of Heaven possible
Are 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 forsake
Is salvation’s solace enough to console sorrow’s weeping wail
For God so dearly loves and hears us; He draws nearer when hearts break
Through His Word He gently cheers us with goodness that will not fail
Janet Martin
