Thanks, Marc. And yes...McCullough's Remember Death is excellent. I almost never hear it mentioned, which is a shame. There is so much wisdom for our culture in that little book.
And regarding LotR...I know. Despite having a bachelors in English literature, I've never been much of a fiction reader. I'm trying to change that. BE PATIENT WITH ME. 😁
Zak, I lost one of my three daughters on January 31 to blood cancer discovered during her pregnancy. My youngest grandchild will be two in May. I know and share your grief. I cam empathize with your grief, and my faith is strong because of Christ. Let us pray for each other. My son-in-law is learning to be a single dad. He has a wonderful church that has surrounded them with love and practical help. Please know I am here to pray or talk if you ever need it. Grace and Peace,
Thank you, Richard. As hard as it was (and still is) to have lost my brother, I know from my parents that there really is no grief like losing a child. That is an unimaginably hard path to walk through as a family. Praise God that he has sustained your faith, and praise God for your son-in-law's church family. Oh, how we need the church for times like these. I prayed for you and your family this morning.
The comparison of Frodo's unhealed wound to grief is an apt one and something I hadn't considered. It's obvious God has been speaking to you in this time of mourning. Thank you for sharing so honestly and truthfully. My son died 18 months ago and the wound still feels fresh, but the Lord has been binding up our wounds and walking with us through the pain. One day we will see Jesus face to face, and all of this will be healed.
Great article, I read it on Challie's recommendation, I'm so sorry for your loss, I lost my mother suddenly on January 5, 2023, due to a sudden heart attack, and besides all the mourning, I feel that it is heavier because she was not a believer, and I'm not sure if I will ever see her again, and it hurts me a lot, because for believers we have a promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, but I don't have that comfort, and sometimes it's even worse, because it seems to me that I believed for 20 years in Acts 16:31 and that promise was not fulfilled.
To me it seems like an even bitter gall that I even avoid thinking about because it's so crazy [without thinking about all the missed opportunities for evangelization, and having wished that she would one day be in church with me, and now I am deprived of even the comfort that maybe one day I will be able to see her again]
Armando, I cannot think of a greater burden of grief than of a loved one passing who did not know the Lord. You carry a heavy weight. My heart goes out to you. You are not alone. There are many Christians who face this.
My words would never be sufficient to give peace to such a grief, so my mind goes to the words of Scripture, which do have the power to give peace. Reading through your comment, I thought of 1 Peter 4:19 - “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
While the context of the verse is about suffering persecution, the wisdom I believe still applies here. It is a verse that recognizes the pain of suffering while also calling us to put our trust in the hands of our God, who is faithful. I would invite you to cling to this Scripture. Entrust yourself and your suffering and your grieving to the hands of your heavenly Father. That’s not at all easy to do, but I do believe it’s the way forward.
Said a prayer for you this morning. Blessings, brother.
Beautiful, Zak. I'm sorry for your loss, brother.
Also, McCullough's "Remember Death" was one of my favorite reads from last year.
Also also--how did you wait this long before reading LoTR??
Thanks, Marc. And yes...McCullough's Remember Death is excellent. I almost never hear it mentioned, which is a shame. There is so much wisdom for our culture in that little book.
And regarding LotR...I know. Despite having a bachelors in English literature, I've never been much of a fiction reader. I'm trying to change that. BE PATIENT WITH ME. 😁
Zak, I lost one of my three daughters on January 31 to blood cancer discovered during her pregnancy. My youngest grandchild will be two in May. I know and share your grief. I cam empathize with your grief, and my faith is strong because of Christ. Let us pray for each other. My son-in-law is learning to be a single dad. He has a wonderful church that has surrounded them with love and practical help. Please know I am here to pray or talk if you ever need it. Grace and Peace,
Richard
Thank you, Richard. As hard as it was (and still is) to have lost my brother, I know from my parents that there really is no grief like losing a child. That is an unimaginably hard path to walk through as a family. Praise God that he has sustained your faith, and praise God for your son-in-law's church family. Oh, how we need the church for times like these. I prayed for you and your family this morning.
Thank you for your prayers, Zak. I will stay in touch with you, and in prayer for you and your family. In the Lamb, Richard
The comparison of Frodo's unhealed wound to grief is an apt one and something I hadn't considered. It's obvious God has been speaking to you in this time of mourning. Thank you for sharing so honestly and truthfully. My son died 18 months ago and the wound still feels fresh, but the Lord has been binding up our wounds and walking with us through the pain. One day we will see Jesus face to face, and all of this will be healed.
That’s incredibly heavy, Charlie. “Binding up our wounds” - I can relate to that language. Life is hard and God is good. Blessings.
Exquisite.
Thank you, Kirsten.
Great article, I read it on Challie's recommendation, I'm so sorry for your loss, I lost my mother suddenly on January 5, 2023, due to a sudden heart attack, and besides all the mourning, I feel that it is heavier because she was not a believer, and I'm not sure if I will ever see her again, and it hurts me a lot, because for believers we have a promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, but I don't have that comfort, and sometimes it's even worse, because it seems to me that I believed for 20 years in Acts 16:31 and that promise was not fulfilled.
To me it seems like an even bitter gall that I even avoid thinking about because it's so crazy [without thinking about all the missed opportunities for evangelization, and having wished that she would one day be in church with me, and now I am deprived of even the comfort that maybe one day I will be able to see her again]
greetings from Brazil
Armando, I cannot think of a greater burden of grief than of a loved one passing who did not know the Lord. You carry a heavy weight. My heart goes out to you. You are not alone. There are many Christians who face this.
My words would never be sufficient to give peace to such a grief, so my mind goes to the words of Scripture, which do have the power to give peace. Reading through your comment, I thought of 1 Peter 4:19 - “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
While the context of the verse is about suffering persecution, the wisdom I believe still applies here. It is a verse that recognizes the pain of suffering while also calling us to put our trust in the hands of our God, who is faithful. I would invite you to cling to this Scripture. Entrust yourself and your suffering and your grieving to the hands of your heavenly Father. That’s not at all easy to do, but I do believe it’s the way forward.
Said a prayer for you this morning. Blessings, brother.
Sorry for your loss, Zak. Very thoughtful post, and I hope you feel like God met you through even writing it. Appreciate your openness and insight.
Thanks, brother. They were good truths to be reminded of. Sometimes writing is an act of preaching to ourselves as much as others. Thanks for reading.
My word, this was an incredibly insightful post. Thanks for sharing your story and pointing others to Christ! I am so sorry for your loss!
Thank you, Zach.
Love this post - thank you so much!!
And, I’m so very sorry for your loss!!
Thanks for reading it, Meagan.
Life is hard. God is good.