It’s Okay

Every day I see the posts, the pictures, the memories~
“Happy Birthday in heaven Daddy.”
“Today is the day God called Mom home.”
“I miss my son/daughter every single day, even more so today.”


Mamas and Daddies, sons and daughters, husbands, wives, grandmas and grandpas.
Loved ones and friends~
The loss of someone we loved incredibly.


As hard as we might try, we can’t escape the date on the calendar. It will always be there. Year after year. A reminder of how much we lost. We relive that moment in our hearts and minds, and it breaks us all over again. The shock of it is as real today as it was yesterday, last year or ten years ago. We hide our tears in pillows or in the shower, alone in our grief because culture makes us believe we should be past this pain by now.


I still find myself gazing at our “Pops condo” in utter disbelief that my dad is really, truly gone. I still have fleeting thoughts that I need to call and check on him. I still look into my grandchildren’s eyes, unable to control my tears as I think about how much my mom would have loved them. I still have dreams of my sister Amy and for a split second, wake up believing she is still with us.


Even though I know God’s Word and His promises to me, even though I know my loved ones are in Heaven with my Savior, even though I know they are experiencing remarkable glory~
I have hope, but I also grieve.


The bottom line is~ I miss them terribly, I still grieve them, I still wish I could talk to them every single day. I still randomly break down and cry. I still feel lonely.


And that’s okay.


It’s okay sweet friend. Don’t let society dictate to you how you should grieve someone who was your whole world, especially if they have never lost theirs.


When it comes to the grieving process, one of the most important things society seems to forget is this~our pain is a direct result of our obedience to God’s second greatest command.


Love.


Hold on to this hope~
Jesus will NEVER be disappointed in us because we loved so deeply. He will not leave your side as you grieve. Jesus will not be angry as you cry, sometimes again and again and again. His Spirit knows when your grief is too deep for words. He is touched by your feelings and longs to comfort your broken heart as He whispers~


“It is okay sweet child.
It is okay.
I am with you.”


Today I am here to remind you~
It is all okay.
The tears, the memories, the pain
But most important~ the love.


It is ALL okay.






SCRIPTURE READING:
Matthew 22:37-40
Mark 12:30-31
Romans 8:18, 22-27
I Corinthians 13:13
Hebrews 4:15, 13:5-6
I John 4:7&8