This drawing was wrested from my broken heart two years after my Beloved flew away to heaven. A little over two more years have passed since then and today is his birthday...
So many questions still remain--I am nearly overwhelmed with grief today. Grief is complicated, there are so many mixed emotions... Yet there IS hope. The Lord said it best, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
God is good. He IS our God of hope. Paul writes, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
David the sweet singer of the Psalms wrote of his God, "You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy." (Psalm 30:11)
He is also the one who penned these words of hope. "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy." (Psalm 236:5)
God understands grief and sorrow as no other. Through the Prophet Isaiah God sent this beautiful message to those who love Him. "To comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3, 4)
Sadness and grief are not comfortable emotions--a lot of folks don't know what to do or say, when confronted with them. And that's alright. When someone you love is grieving, all that's needed is your presence. You don't even have to say anything. You are a precious gift, because those who mourn often feel totally alone.
For those of you, who's hearts have been broken, there is hope. The Psalmist wrote, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
We are not alone, dear ones and that is a comfort in itself. May God bless your life with beauty and joy.
