Complimentary Story
April 2024I recently attended the memorial service of a dear friend’s mother who had passed away after a long battle with cancer. Her service was a beautiful tribute to her life that was attended by her family and friends from near and far. The reflections that were shared by those in attendance were loving and kind and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Death is one of the most difficult aspects of life to deal with, not only for those who are dying, but for those of us who remain. For some seem to be able to move on relatively quickly, while others suffering with the loss, find it almost impossible to do.
Are you currently one of the ones that remain who is suffering and heartbroken over the loss of a significant loved one in your life?
Albert Camus said, “Blessed are the hearts that can bend; for they shall never be broken.” If you are heartbroken, then I hope this month’s WCN insight will give you some peace and comfort in the midst of your loss, and the grief you’re experiencing.
Years ago, in the last days of my mother’s life here on earth, my sister tearfully asked her, “Mama, what will we do without you?” and my mothers reply was, “Martha, you’ll straighten your back, put your arms around those who are living, that you love and love you, let me go, and move on…that’s what you’ll do. Because that’s what we all have to eventually do.”
For all of us, the loss of a loved one is significantly heartbreaking. As a pastor and in my own life, I’ve experienced this kind of great loss, and struggled with the unbearable grief that can linger long after all the empathy and sympathy of your family and friends who’ve shared in that loss alongside you, have moved on in their lives. But for some, moving on after this kind of loss seems almost unbearable, so they remain in the dark shadows of their loss, refusing to accept the reality of life without that person, and in some ways never embrace the light of day again.
Their heart brokenness becomes a significant part of their grief identity, and find themselves never venturing far from the “ghost” in the house of their dearly beloved, whose spirit has long departed.
Others though, after some time has passed, by faith, find the strength and courage to do what my mother said to my sister, in straightening their backs, putting their arms around those who are living that they love and who love them, letting go of the physical presence of their lost loved one, and move forward, into the ever embracing light and hope of God’s promises, becoming the blessed ones, “The ones whose hearts can bend,” as Albert Camus said “…that shall never be broken.”
Jesus said… “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 (ESV).
