Grief. It is something which we all want to avoid, yet each one of us will be touched by it as some time in our lives. Loss of a friend, loss of a spouse or parent, loss of a sibling or a child. Even loss of a pet. This unwanted and all too often unexpected visitor comes knocking, no let me rephrase that breaks down the doors of our hearts and its shadowy figure takes up residence. It can squeeze our hearts and almost suffocate us in its intensity. Depending on who the person in our life is that we lost, the grief can have different stages of intensity. Yes, the worst is the loss of a child. I have two precious little ones waiting for me in heaven, who I have never had to honor to meet yet. I miscarried both, fairly early in my pregnancy, but I miss them to this day. And I talk to them often. My peace comes in knowing that they are home with the Lord, and they are truly happy, and alive. This I believe with all my heart. But as I said before the intensity of my grief was different from those who lost children whom they had met. Yet, God's indescribable peace and healing is there for each one of us. For there are so many promises in the Bible letting us know that there is life, in Christ. And that He goes to prepare a place for us. That is so wonderful. He prepared a place for my babies, and is preparing one for me, and has done so for all my loved ones who have gone on before me, and has done so for your loved ones.
Please know that even in the middle of the pain which you are feeling at this moment - you are not alone. I pray that you have your own support system around you, and I pray that you will turn to them. During these times it is too easy to pull away, to bury our pain, to isolate. But please, open your arms to those who want to help you. Cry, yell, scream if you need to. It's Okay. They will understand. And it's Okay to cry, yell and scream to the Lord. He has big shoulders and a huge heart. He knows your pain and He loves you. But you may feel really ticked off at Him! He understands. But please don't turn away from Him during this time. Turn to Him, and give Him your heart. During my most painful times I find myself calling God "Abba" meaning daddy, or "Papa". That's what I need at those times, a loving Papa. And I know He is there with me. Even in the middle of the pain, I know His arms are around me. Holding me. Comforting me. Rocking me. Loving me. And in my times of grief, I know with certainty that God knows what grief feels like. For Our God watched as His only son died for us. God is not callous. He loves His son, and His heart was breaking when He watched Him die, for me, for you. So it is this God that I ask you to turn to. He truly knows.
As with everything else on this site, we want to bring you as much hope and encouragement as we possibly can. So I have been researching very special sites on the internet which specialize in grief. I hope that they may help you during this time. As always just click on the web address and you should be taken right to their site.
The first is Rainbow Faith - Christian Grief Ministry. www.rfgifts.com Their Ministry "is to encourage and uplift those traveling the painful journey through grief - with words of inspiration, faith and hope. Two sweet ladies Ferna and Betty who have both walked the mile of grief, designed this site. There are poems, stories, life after loss weekly newsletter and more. This site does offer gifts you can purchase but that is not why we recommend this site nor do you have to purchase anything. There is also www.grieflossrecovery.com/grief/ and www.thegriefblog.com We hope that you may find hope, support and comfort through these sites.
"On Eagles Wings" is such a beautiful song. When we are low, He, our Lord, our Heavenly Father will lift us up. He will not leave us, we soar with Him on Eagles wings. This song means even more when we learn a little abut the beautiful Eagle and her babies. The nest of the Eagle is high, high above the ground. And as with all of us the time comes when the growing fledglings need to learn to fly. The mother stands on the edge of the nest and nudges her young one from it's warm home. The mother watches oh, so carefully as her young one begins to fall from the nest. But then, it opens it's wings, and the current catches it for the first time and it begins to fly. But not all young eagles are ready. Some continue to fall, not know yet to open their wings. And as the mother sees this she swoops from the nest and flies below her young one, catching the baby eagle on her back and carries it safely back to the nest. She would never let it continue to fall. And one day, when the young eagle is ready, it too will spread it's wings and catch the current and soar through the air.
This is the same way with God. He's always watching us.Sometime we need his nudge to teach us to fly, but He will not let us fall. He will swoop below us and catch us up on His Eagle's wings. For those whose loved ones have past away, think how beautiful it must be for them to also soar on Eagle's wings
We hope that you will take a minute and sign our guest book. This book can be used just to let us know that you visited this very special page, or it can be used as a place to ask for prayer requests, or to tell us your story. If you choose your requests can be kept private and only I will see them and answer . We also hope that you will feel safe enough here to use this book as a connection between your self and others here who are going through the safe things that you are.
God Bless
This next song is by a Steve Balsamo. I have come to love his voice and his singing. This song is called "Immortal" "As I sail to the end of the world - I will not be afraid....... Tell the world not to weep for me......And I will be set free.......Free as a bird upon the wind.......If you remember me, I will be immortal." This is but a part of this lovely song. Our loved ones live forever in our hearts, they live on through our memories. They may have reached the end of this earthly life, but they now are free as a bird upon the wind. This song brings joy to my heart when I listen to it.
May tender memories soften your grief,
May fond recollection bring you relief
And may you find comfort and peace in the thought
Of the joy that knowing your loved one brought -
For time and space can never divide
Or keep your loved one from your side
When memory paints in colors true
The happy hours that belonged to you
Helen Steiner Rice
"Precious Lord Take My Hand" I have a very dear friend of over 20 years who too has lived through her times of sorrow and grief. She told me that when she feels this way, she turns to her Elvis Presley Gospel album. His voice, the words, and what she knows of his kind spirit all soothe her soul. In trying to find just the right song of his for this site, I asked her which one touches her heart the most when she needs. She said "Precious Lord Take My Hand." And I agree. It is a beautiful song of hope and promise. When we are down, when our time here on earth is drawing to an end. We know that our Precious Lord will take our hand and lead us home, as he has taken our loved ones hands. I hope that this song may also touch your heart. I love you Karen. I know it will touch your heart.
A TIME TO HEAL
Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-14
The Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds - Psalm 147:3
I stared out the window of the bus as I traveled home from my first widows' retreat. Only seven months earlier, Bobby, my husband, had died. I realized how drastically my life had changed because I had lost the love of my life. I pondered what I would do now, as a widow in a new season of life. I felt so alone. I cried out to God, "Lord, I know that the widows are near to your heart. I know that you have a plan for me. Please give me guidance." God was faithful and spoke to me. I felt a call to start a widows' ministry that would help widows find new purpose in life.
Today our group of widows continues to meet to fellowship, pray, study the Bible, and gain strength and healing as we reach out to serve others through various ministry projects. God has led me to Kenya to be a part of a conference to help pastors learn better how to minister to their widows. I also gave them copies of my book - describing my first year of widowhood - to be used in this ministry.
I can see now that God's ultimate plan was to heal my heart as I served others. If we seek God's help and reach out to others, those of us who grieve will be sustained and uplifted by God's sufficient grace.
Prayer: God, help us as we heal, always looking to you for comfort, guidance, and strength. Amen.
Thought For the Day
God loves us as we allow
By: Peggy C. Latchem (Tennessee)
Prayer Focus: For Healing
This was taken from the May-June issue of The Upper Room.
As I said and we all know the loss of a child is the ultimate grief. It just is not supposed to happen. But sadly it does. As I said for myself my peace comes in the fact that my children are home with the Lord. Some days I can picture them running around and actually playing with Jesus. I'm sure our Lord loves to play with children. I believe that all of our children are just having a great time being kids. No more pain, they can just be kids, in the presence of their Jesus. That makes me smile and feel peace. The next site is very special, as it is centered around those who have lost children. We hope you may find hope, strength and comfort there. The first is: www.alivealone.org Another wonderful site is: www.silentgrief.com/ This site has support for all who have suffered miscarriage or later child loss. This is a site for anyone grieving, men and women alike. We also found a site which is dedicated to helping children to deal with the death of a loved one. Our precious little ones grieve also, and so need our help. www.enotalone.com/article/4544.html Please feel free to visit all these sites.
Dear sorrowing one, I pray for you
That Christ will always be
To you, in your deep hour of grief,
What He has been to me!
For as I walked that lonely road,
I found - not black despair,
But endless wells of strength and grace,
for He was always there!
Alice Hansche Mortenson
"I can only imagine" Is one of my favorite songs. What will it be like when we actually see Jesus face to face. Will we dance for Him, or will we fall to our knees. Our loved ones don't have to imagine any longer. They are living with Jesus, they see Him face to face, they live in His glory. Praise the Lord!! May you find peace and comfort in the words to this song.
Journey Home
Joy Conner
My journey starts with a soft voice calling me into the night.
I am lifted up and drawn toward a beautiful light.
I am leaving my family, friends and all other earthly things.
I am like a bird going toward the heavens, trying out my new wings.
But as I soar upward everything becomes so clear.
Special arms are wrapped around me, removing all my fears.
- I am an eagle, climbing high over the pine trees,
- the lakes and the land.
- A special love is gently leading me,
- taking me by the hand.
- I have wings, I go higher into the deep blue of the sky.
- But I am leaving you and I wonder why me,
- Oh God, why?
I fly like an eagle--but am more like a dove.
For I am leaving you all with a heart full of love.
My journey is taking me to a home far away.
That same voice promising I'll see you some day.
I leave you with so very much regret.
But please--do not grieve for me yet,
for my soul and spirit are finally free.
I go at peace into eternity.
