Grieving with Hope

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. – 1. Thessalonians 4:13

On March 8th of 2019, I woke up to the sound of my phone repeatedly buzzing at 4:30 in the morning.

My phone rarely rings! It especially doesn’t ever ring in the middle of the night. On the other end was my sister. She informed me that my father was having a heart attack, and that they were prepping him to be life-flighted to a bigger hospital. The next ten days were spent in the hospital. The diagnosis was a severe heart attack, as well as heart failure. However, along with changes and restrictions, the doctors were confident that my dad would still be able to live life. On Tuesday morning, the decision was made to release my dad from the hospital! Needless to say, we were elated.

I will never forget the night he got to come home. We had a wonderful time of fellowship as a family. He held my six-month old son, we ate dinner around the table in the home where I grew up, and thanked God together for the healing that He had done in my father’s life.

The next morning, I once again awoke to the sound of my phone in the early morning hours. Only this time to be informed that The Lord had called my father to his eternal home. I was only 29 years old when we buried him. Not only did I lose my earthly father, but I also lost my pastor, my friend, and the biggest cheerleader I have ever had on this earth.

Fast forward two years…

In the summer of 2021, on a hot Tuesday afternoon, I found out I was pregnant with my second child.

My husband and I were overwhelmed with joy! We couldn’t wait to welcome another baby into our family. We were so excited that we decided to tell close friends and family about the new life that was growing inside of me. A week after finding out that I was expecting, I began to have complications. Two weeks later, also on a Tuesday, I found out that the baby had been received into heaven by God.

Death wove its way into my story when I was least expecting it. To be honest, I wasn’t prepared to experience grief, pain and loss in the way that I did. Yet, through this season of life, God has reminded me that death was never a part of His original plan. It only exists as a result of sin.

Grief is a journey many of us will face in some form or fashion while living on this earth. However, it doesn’t define us. Yes, we grieve. But, because of Jesus, and what He did on the cross, we grieve with HOPE!

I look forward to the day when I get to worship Jesus with my dad and baby! What a glorious day that will be! No more death, no more grief, no more tears, no more pain. Until that day, I will walk hand in hand with the Shepherd through the valley. Leaning on Him, trusting Him, and gleaning from His Word. I will grieve with Hope knowing that one day He is going to wipe away all of my tears.

The promise of Romans 8:28 is one that I have held dear through this season of my life. It says “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

It is often hard to see the good that can come from deep loss. However, many women who had also experienced death rallied around me in my seasons of grief. Their ministry to me during a time of deep loss is one I will never forget or take for granted. I truly believe God allows us to walk through certain experiences so we in turn can minister to someone else who might be facing a similar situation. Being the hands and feet of Jesus to someone who is hurting is truly Romans 8:28 in action.

How can the church respond to someone who is walking though a season of grief?

I have seen this question asked a lot on different social media channels. It can most definitely be hard to know how to approach someone that has recently lost a loved one. The Word speaks in Romans to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15).” Simply being there for the person is a huge response. Not only in the days after their loss, but months, and even years, after.

Prayer

Father, I want to pray for anyone who might be walking through a season of grief. I pray that they would feel your presence with them now. Thank for being our Shepherd and guiding us through the “valley of the shadow of death.” We look forward to the day when we will be with you for eternity! The day of no more pain, sickness, and death. The day in which all of tears will be wiped away.