Delores Liesner
Activating Faith in everyday life
After Loss of a Child – Never-Ending Grief; Never-Ending Peace
I met a woman today whose daughter died in a winter accident decades ago. Each time there is a family occasion, she shared, she experiences the loss and grief all over again. I don’t think it (grieving) is ever over, she concluded.
I understood and agreed. It’s not that the grieving ends, but that we become accustomed to it as part of our life. (Tweet that)Our new normal.
Living with grief is our new normal. Fortunately we also were both grateful for the other part of our new normal – the peace of knowing we will see our daughters again. That peace never goes away either.
The good memories are also there, of course, to review and relive from day-to-day. It seems we are forced just by the daily necessities of life, to continue on – to experience the present and to remind ourselves to continue in hope for the future.
Thankfully, God also gives us never-ending resources that enable ‘continuing on’.
God’s Word – alive and powerful – activating our faith and our hope as often as we read it (not reading the Word each day is like driving the car without gas or oil).
Eternal Life – John 10: 27-28 and I John 5: 11-13 says we can KNOW we have eternal life. Both the woman I spoke of earlier and I were comforted to remember our daughters reassuring us of their faith shortly before their passing.
His presence = Hebrews 13:5 and Deuteronomy 31:6 – God promised to never leave us (or our daughters, or any who claim Christ as savior).
Our needs – Philippians 4:19 – God continues to provide emotional, spiritual and physical needs, and each time I naturally reach for the phone to tell my daughter, I am reminded she already knows because she too has experienced this and awaits complete deliverance and reunion with her loved ones.
Sufficient Grace – II Corinthians 12:9 – This last week my heart wept and rejoiced at once as I hugged a lady who received a lung transplant from our daughter. Sure it was hard, but I know that is part of what Laurie determined to not let an unhealthy bite pass her lips that should she not ‘make it through menopause’ her organs would be whole and healthy to give life to others.
Hard you bet to hug someone her size and realize a part of her lives within this woman, and 69 others. Yet, what an awesome reminder, that her soul is alive and with God —and that He has enabled much of her body to also live on and sustain life within others.
Never-ending grief but never-ending peace.
How have you experienced this never-ending peace?
If so – may these scriptures be a reminder and a comfort. If not – may these scriptures open your heart to a never-ending legacy that awaits you:
Eternal Life
John 10:27-28 – John 10:27-28 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.
John 5:11-13 And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.
God’s Presence
Heb. 13:5 Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I Will Never Desert You, Nor Will I Ever Forsake You,”
Deut. 31:6 “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
Our needs
Phil. 4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Sufficient Grace
2Cor. 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Be the Miracle! – with journaling pages
Delores Liesner: Author
American Christian Fiction Writers Association
Delores Liesner 