Faith and Grief

The Goodness of the Lord: A Grief Quote

"There is so much I can't explain or fix. I feel as though I'm moving in slow motion while the rest of the world is on fast-forward. There is a lot I don't feel okay about, but I'm trying to get okay. It's hard to regroup and reenter, but I know there is goodness waiting for me there. Psalm 27:13 says, "I would have despaired unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." I am merging with the traffic, matching speed, trying to join in. The rest of that verse says, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage." Perhaps it is also okay to do it a little at a time. At least one day at a time."

--- Kim Thomas, Finding Your Way Through Grief

Thriving Spiritually: A Grief Quote

"The Scripture pictures this season I am in. "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines...yet I will rejoice in the Lord." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Because I remember a time when the fig tree did bud, and the vines were full of grapes, I will keep showing up. Even though my spiritual life feels unproductive right now, I remember when it thrived.

I look at notes I've written in the margins of my Bible and read through old prayer journals and random pieces I've written on my computer. I spend time quietly meditating on how faithfully God has carried me through the last year, and the forty-four before that. These are all marks on my spiritual clothes, proof of a productive woman of faith having lived here in my skin.

Even though I don't understand, and I don't know if I remember how to do it, I will keep showing up. One day, perhaps, I will find myself in the middle of a thriving spiritual life again."

Kim Thomas, Finding Your Way Through Grief

More Than I Can Handle: A Grief Devotional

Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:14

I am not comforted when someone tells me, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” In fact, I don’t believe it’s true. God has, on occasion, given me much more than I can handle. He has never given me more than he can handle!

Is anything too hard for the Lord? No! He healed Sarah’s barren womb in her old age and gave her a son, just as he promised. He can heal my broken heart and make good things come from my loss, just as he promised.

When I face the full force of my grief and begin to feel overwhelmed, I am reminded that though this is too hard for me—it is not too hard for my Lord. As I trust him, I find his grace sufficient for my needs. And I am grateful.

Lord, I would not want to face my grief on my own. In my strength I am easily defeated. But nothing is too hard for you. Thank you for loving me, for strengthening me and for doing for me what I cannot do for myself. Amen.

Grieving the Death of a Godly Woman: Ruth Graham Bell

Ruth Graham Bell, wife of Billy Graham and a wonderful, faithful woman of God has left this earth today and entered into eternity with God. Please join me in praying for God's comfort and peace for Billy and the family and all those who have been touched by Ruth in this life.

To honor Ruth, I am posting a poem from her collection, Sitting by my Laughing Fire:

When Death Comes

When death comes

Will it come quietly

--one may say creep—

As after a hard

And tiring day, one lies

And longs for sleep—

Ending age and sorrow

Or youth and pain?

Who dies in Christ

Has all to gain

--and a Tomorrow!

Why weep?

Death may be savage

We cannot be sure

The godly may be slaughtered,

Evil men endure;

However death may strike,

Or whom,

Who knows the risen Lord

Knows too, the empty tomb.

--Ruth Graham Bell