Such incredible thoughts, Amy. Thank you for sharing this. I was very challenged by the idea that suffering is part of God’s plan to shape us into His image and make us the person He had planned for us to be.
Amy, thank you for sharing about grief. Our family lost a young one to a violent crime this week. What has struck me is this wild, recurring thought that I don't have a right to be this busted open about someone to whom I was no longer close to due to divorce. As I've shared this almost-guilt with a few trusted ones, I'm realizing it might be a common companion that comes along with grief--this sense that we must somehow earn a right to grieve. I'd love to hear any thoughts you or your lovely readers have on this aspect of grief. I'm praying for the grace to enter into grief without payment.
Kira firstly, I am so sorry for your loss. I don't think proximity really bears weight on grief. When we feel it, it's resonating with something we feel is gone. Even inanimate objects that we are accustom to being near can trigger a sense of loss when removed. Someone crossed our path on this earth and when they are no more, life feels uneasy. Loss reminds us of brevity of breath, how quickly things change, how unfair change can be, how short our time is here, and so much more.
Feeling that we have to do something in order for our grief to be real is a strictly human construct. I think it's more attached to aspects of the relationship that still make us sad. Unfinished business, not being able to have actual closure or say goodbye or even telling that someone what really happened to cause the distance, at the end its just all unfinished and I'm not sure our nervous systems and souls really know what to do with all that. Which is why Jesus is such a comfort because he does know what to do with it.
You carry within you the Divine birthmark of His likeness and image. That gives you permission to grieve, because God grieves. Jesus grieves. The Holy Spirit can be grieved. And you, His likeness, can as well. Freely and without shame or guilt. Making space for the ways He may want to continue to heal places in you still needing His touch.
Such incredible thoughts, Amy. Thank you for sharing this. I was very challenged by the idea that suffering is part of God’s plan to shape us into His image and make us the person He had planned for us to be.
Mmm yes. I truly believe I wouldn’t be who I have become (and am still becoming) were it not for those dark nights in the valley of the shadow.
Amy, thank you for sharing about grief. Our family lost a young one to a violent crime this week. What has struck me is this wild, recurring thought that I don't have a right to be this busted open about someone to whom I was no longer close to due to divorce. As I've shared this almost-guilt with a few trusted ones, I'm realizing it might be a common companion that comes along with grief--this sense that we must somehow earn a right to grieve. I'd love to hear any thoughts you or your lovely readers have on this aspect of grief. I'm praying for the grace to enter into grief without payment.
Kira firstly, I am so sorry for your loss. I don't think proximity really bears weight on grief. When we feel it, it's resonating with something we feel is gone. Even inanimate objects that we are accustom to being near can trigger a sense of loss when removed. Someone crossed our path on this earth and when they are no more, life feels uneasy. Loss reminds us of brevity of breath, how quickly things change, how unfair change can be, how short our time is here, and so much more.
Feeling that we have to do something in order for our grief to be real is a strictly human construct. I think it's more attached to aspects of the relationship that still make us sad. Unfinished business, not being able to have actual closure or say goodbye or even telling that someone what really happened to cause the distance, at the end its just all unfinished and I'm not sure our nervous systems and souls really know what to do with all that. Which is why Jesus is such a comfort because he does know what to do with it.
You carry within you the Divine birthmark of His likeness and image. That gives you permission to grieve, because God grieves. Jesus grieves. The Holy Spirit can be grieved. And you, His likeness, can as well. Freely and without shame or guilt. Making space for the ways He may want to continue to heal places in you still needing His touch.
Thank you for this beautiful truth.