grief

Grief is not a word I want to live by, but it is a word I want to learn from.  Grief is suffering, distress, and deep sadness over a loss.  Grief is grief, just like sin is sin.  There aren't different sizes or rankings.  It could be the loss of a relationship, or a loved one, or a possession that brings grief.  The situations are varied, but the pain of loss is very much the same.  There is no grief formula or time limitation.  Grief lasts as long as it lasts.  It might look different on different people, but that doesn't mean they are hurting any less or any more.

Here is what I've realized in the past week that my family has been grieving the loss of our Kid Canine (KC).  Some days are better, and some days aren't. Some days the memories bring smiles, and some days they bring tears.  Some days I need to be distracted, and some days I want to talk about her and cry.  Every person grieves differently.  Every day the grief is different.

One of the hardest things for me this week has been the comparisons.  Feeling guilty for being so devastated when there are people around me fighting hard battles, some for their lives.  Comments from people who mean to be consoling, who think they are helping me put my loss in perspective, have put me back in that place of comparison and guilt.  The best things that we can do for a person who is grieving is listen to them and love them right where they are.

My prayer is that this time of grief in my life will make me more compassionate rather than hardhearted.  Quick to listen and love, and careful with my words.  I pray that God will make me into a person who will sit beside the grief stricken, listening and loving, for as long as I am needed.  I know that in all things (even grief) God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose!  (Romans 8:28)  And I know that God is working in my grief for my good!