In the community I live in, two very dear and precious men, within just a couple of days of each other, passed away this month. Those dear men had dear spouses who are now in the throes of recovery. They are having to make some very serious decisions about what their life is going to look like moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I met up with one of the women a couple of days ago and she had the biggest smile on her face \u2013 one, that quite honestly, was larger and brighter than I had seen on her before. I mentioned it to her and she said: \u201cDonna, I am purposing to do what you did. I\u2019m still here and I am going to be happy and not sad.\u201d The other lady called me to thank me for praying for her and to tell me she was doing so much better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both of those precious women are dear to me and I am so proud of both of them with their attitude for carrying on without their men. But, today, I sense we need to give those who are not on the sunny side of life \u2013 a break \u2013 an opportunity to let themselves feel the emotions they are feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a matter of fact, I told one of the gals that I can be in a grocery store and hear \u201cour song\u201d playing and I\u2019ll cave and the tears flow. IT IS OKAY! During those times of sudden life changes and heart-breaking and soul-searching \u2013 it is okay to wonder what the future is going to look like. It is okay to not be okay. God is the first one who gives us permission to shed tears because of our broken heart.
Psalm 34:18 says: \u201c\u201cThe Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.\u201d The Good News: Though our hearts may be breaking, God is closer than we realize. He is always with us and can heal our heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having served in a Faith & Grief Ministry in Frisco, I know we must give each other room to deal with grief \u2013 not stuff or push it down or pretend it\u2019s not there. That\u2019s why so many still struggle from losses that occurred 20 or 30 years earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Jesus taught, sets us straight. In Matthew 5:4, He says, \u201cGod blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.\u201d It\u2019s okay to grieve, but we Christians don\u2019t grieve like the world. We give ourselves room to grieve because we miss our loved ones so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve come to terms with it. Best. News. Ever. It\u2019s just temporary. I know I will see my loved ones again. And what a reunion that will be!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the meantime, for me, my friends, and perhaps you, today, we can give all our emotions to God, even crying out: \u201cGod, this hurts!\u201d Even David, throughout the book of Psalms, cried out to God many times: \u201cGod, I\u2019m in a tough time right now. I am really, really hurting.\u201d You and I can cry out to God just like David did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe you feel like David \u2013 alone, forsaken, disappointed \u2013 go ahead, like David, pour out your heart to God for He is your refuge. His lovingkindness and faithfulness will surely strengthen and bless you. Also, please share your heart with a faithful, God-loving friend who will agree with you in prayer. Allow God to heal your heart \u2013 sooner than later!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, we\u2019ll put on our big girl and big boy armor \u2013 and get with completing our earth assignments. We can put on our dancing shoes and turn mourning to dancing on this side of heaven! Before we know it \u2013 we\u2019ll be celebrating together around the throne. We\u2019ve learned our lessons well. Joy and peace win! I know it! I make that choice every day and I find the journey getting sweeter as the days go by!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge\u201d (Psalm 62:8 NLT).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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