Friday's Faith - Hope Amidst Groaning

May Your unfailing Love rest on us, O LORD,

even as we put our Hope In You.

~Psalm 33:22 NIV

Friday's Faith

Hope Amidst Groaning

Hope? Amidst Groaning? How do these two concepts fit together at all? 

How can we "hope" and yet "groan"?

Who of us Child-Loss Grievers "hope" to see our child again, nevertheless we "groan" all the while? I would hazard to guess, 100% of us! 

Hopeful Groaning feels like an oxymoron doesn't it? 

How can the two fit together? Shouldn't we be "hopeful" and "joyful" at the same time? That certainly seems to be the American way! 

And yet, we must admit, our hearts are still broken... even as we hope! Is there any hope for such a grieving parent?

How merciful God is to us to have had the apostle Paul explain how these two concepts do fit together in God's own Holy Word! Read on and see what you think...

Paul says in Romans 8 (yes, the same chapter that concludes by reminding us that absolutely nothing can separate us from the Love of God!) that everybody, and everything, in fact the "whole creation," groans inwardly until we see God's full redemption of our bodies...

Read this passage of Scripture, ponder it, question it, compare it to your situation, and let me know what you think...

Romans 8:18-27, New International Version:

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. 

But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but 

the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 

And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

What about you? Do you struggle with the continual sorrowful groaning over your child who is no longer here, even as you hold onto your hope for seeing your child again in Heaven?

Tuesday's Trust - "I Am Come to Heal..."

Tuesday's Trust

"I Am Come to Heal..."

King James Bible

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised...

~Jesus

~Luke 4:18 KJV


~~~

O Lord, quicken our broken hearts to rest in Thee, for You alone heal us ever so gently throughout our lifetime on earth, yet culminate our healing fully when You wipe all our tears away, forever! 

Thank You for Your faithful, tender, healing love poured out on us daily... 

Truly, we need Thee every hour!

~~~

2And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.3And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying,  

"Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." 

~Revelation 21:2-4 NASB

Some capitalizations of Scripture, mine

KJV = King James Version

NASB = New American Standard Bible

Saturday's Sayings - If God Chose the Broken...

God chose what the world considered Broken...

~1 Corinthians 1:27

Saturday's Sayings

If God Chose the Broken...

(Letter to My Friends, Family, Church, and Community)

If people do not begrudge a sweet little old lady for knitting everyday as she works her craft for her loved ones with her yarn, so too I ask myself,

Why do people begrudge child-loss grievers for daily re-knitting their damaged hearts, souls, and spirits back together after they had been unraveled beyond recognition from the first day their child was ripped from their sides? 

Child-Loss Grief and Trauma 

is a Daily Process, 

expected to last a Life-time, 

until that beautiful Day when we are

rejoined with our little ones.

Please treat us with kindness, 

and 

at the very least,

Learn to respect 

what you have No Way Of Knowing:

how Unbearable

the Child-Loss Grief and Trauma process is 

upon our severely traumatized lives

every 

day.

Every.

Day. 

I repeat,

You would have No. Way. Of. Knowing. 

or 

even

Beginning. To. Know. 

what we deal with, 

unless you yourself also

Lost Your Child, 

and 

We would Never, 

Ever, 

wish 

that 

upon 

You 

or 

Anyone. 

So please, 

Just respect our process, 

And know, 

Always keep in mind, 

There is a lot about our Child-Loss Grief and Trauma 

you. will. never. know. 

Be thankful for that,

And,

please

Please,

Love us

Where. We. Are.

Not

Where. You. Want. Us. To. Be.

God doesn't blame the broken

for their brokenness;

God loves the broken...

Can you?

~Angie Prince, Mother Grieving Loss of Child,
Psychotherapist, and Grief, Loss, & Trauma Coach

~~~



Please remember what God's Word says,

1 Corinthians 1:27

New International Version (NIV)

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; 

God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

"Broken" graphic, thanks to 

Jesus Loves Me!

Julie K. (God's Girl Jul) ~Pinterest

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/29977153743344935/

Tuesday's Trust - May the Lord Shepherd You in Your Grief

Tuesday's Trust 

May the Lord Shepherd You in Your Grief

Psalm 23 contains some of the most-quoted verses in the Bible. Often they are used at funerals, perhaps even at your child’s funeral. 

After attending the conference this last weekend and attending a workshop by Linda Stirling, I feel that the Lord is challenging me to share my thoughts with you, just as Linda shared her thoughts with so many of us. 

For the next seven days, I will share a portion of Psalm 23. My challenge to you is to read the words, mull over them, let them roll around in your mind and make their way down to your heart. In doing so, the Lord will simultaneously do what He does best…. Shepherd your pain and heal your wounds.

Here we go, are you ready?

The Lord is My Shepherd. 

This picture encapsulates what I imagine when I think of Jesus as my Shepherd. I am safe in His arms. I am loved in His arms. I am held and cherished. All of me. Every inch. Every ounce. Every beauty. Every moment of ugliness. Every joy. Every sorrow. And as this lamb smiles, the Shepherd smiles greater still as He loves, adores, cherishes and cares for me.

Take some time today. Think about your Shepherd.

~2012: Love and Loss

~~~

~~~

~~~

Psalm 23 contains some of the most-quoted verses in the Bible. Often they are used at funerals, perhaps even at your child’s funeral. 

After attending the conference this last weekend and attending a workshop by Linda Stirling, I feel that the Lord is challenging me to share my thoughts with you, just as Linda shared her thoughts with so many of us. 

For the next seven days, I will share a portion of Psalm 23. My challenge to you is to read the words, mull over them, let them roll around in your mind and make their way down to your heart. In doing so, the Lord will simultaneously do what He does best…. Shepherd your pain and heal your wounds.

Here we go, are you ready?

The Lord is My Shepherd. 

This picture encapsulates what I imagine when I think of Jesus as my Shepherd. I am safe in His arms. I am loved in His arms. I am held and cherished. All of me. Every inch. Every ounce. Every beauty. Every moment of ugliness. Every joy. Every sorrow. And as this lamb smiles, the Shepherd smiles greater still as He loves, adores, cherishes and cares for me.

Take some time today. Think about your Shepherd.

~2012: Love and Loss

~~~

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

~Psalm 23:1

~~~

Day Three of Psalm 23: My Shepherd Restores My Soul Restoration comes one moment at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time, one year at a time. Restoration comes as we release our pain to the One who longs to relieve us of our pain.  He has restored my soul. And although it has been 23 years since I've seen my daughter, and gentle tears sometimes fall, I can say that He has done what I never imagined possible. Trust Him...

~2012: Love and Loss 

~~~

Day Four of Psalm 23: My Shepherd Guides Me

Jesus wants to guide us through our grief. He knows the Valley of the Shadow of Death is filled with twists and turns. Obstacles and troubles. Pain and sorrow.

He wants to use His staff to guide us when we don't know what to do. He wants to use His staff to prod us when we feel like we can't get out of bed or to take the next step.

Even more importantly, He wants to guide us with His love. Will you let Him today?

~2012: Love and Loss 

~~~

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

~Psalm 23:2

~~~

Day Five of Psalm 23: My Shepherd Leads Me to Still Waters

Water is life. We were nurtured in water before we were born. Our Lord wants to nurture us in water. Near water. 

Water gives life. It provides what we need to survive. Our Lord wants to be that water for us. 

Water brings peace. Our Lord wants to take our surging emotions and bring us to a place of calm serenity. He closes the emotional sea behind the doors of still water.

~2012: Love and Loss

~~~

Day Six of Psalm 23: My Shepherd Walks with Me

He walks with me through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He is with us when we face death. He is with us after the loss. He is with us through the deep darkness. He is with us when we emerge into the light.

~2012: Love and Loss

~~~

Day Seven of Psalm 23: My Shepherd Pursues Me

How thankful I am that I am not alone in my grief. The Lord sees me. The Lord loves me. The Lord pursues me. He comes down to where I am and says, "I am here. I am with you. I will not leave your side." 

There is no greater joy in knowing that I matter that much to Him. That my child mattered that much to Him.

~2012: Love and Loss

~~~~

He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

~Psalm 23:3

~~~

Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I wilt fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

~Psalm 23:4

~~~

~~~

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemy; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

~Psalm 23: 4-5

Graphics, thanks to ~2012: Love and Loss, and ~Hers to Treasure

Friday's Faith - Bible Emergency Numbers

Friday's Faith

Bible Emergency Numbers

Many people write me asking for Bible verses to help them in their grief. Someone recently shared this list of verses that help them in a number of situations; I wanted to pass it along to you. One correction I might make, in the theme, "For idea of Christianity, call..." the poster states "1 Corinthians 5:15-19," but the actual scripture to which they refer is found in "2 Corinthians 5:15-19."

A word of warning: Because of what each of us has been through in losing our child, we each may be triggered in different ways according to our circumstances by certain scriptures that may seem to fall in line with some of the shattered assumptions we once easily held but are shaky on in the present. We are all a work in progress still working through our beliefs and assumptions in light of the severe loss and trauma we have endured. As we have stated many times, it is like we are having to completely rework the fabric of the very foundation of our being in many aspects of our lives; the spiritual is no exception. We must always hold our assumptions and beliefs up to the light of God's truth and revelation as we ask and cry out and sometimes even argue out our confusion with Him. Many outsiders do not understand the grueling work that such struggles require as we are grappling with the severest hurts that are closest and dearest to our broken hearts.

Remember, God's Word is living and active ~ May He minister to you as you read His Word.

May God's Word bless you all.










Poster, thanks to ~Godly Woman Daily's Photos

Friday's Faith - Where Is God In All of This?

Friday's Faith

"Where Is God In All of This?"

Your child's death will impact your view of God to some extent. Some grievers express that they are totally disillusioned with God after their child's death and therefore don't know where to turn. Others struggle with Him but also know He is all they have to turn to in their deepest time of need. But at the very least, your child's death will make you revisit every aspect of your faith. Your faith has to be reworked in light of your child's death. 

Grief is a process of reweaving just about every aspect of our very foundation, including our faith.

A precious grieving mother just wrote me asking, "Where is God in all of this?" ~ I asked the same question… I knew God loved my child even more than I possibly could love her, and I loved her with all my heart. So I was confident in my diligent prayers to my God of Love that He would keep her safe….

The day the policeman came to our house to tell us she had been killed, I remember thinking later that day, the Scripture says God "is the same yesterday, today, and forever." The God I was praying to yesterday knew this was going to happen. He is the same God today. Why didn't He stop it from happening?

The only way I could reconcile my God of love not protecting her from death was the childlike question I posed to Him, "Did You not see this happen?!" Any loving Father would rescue His child from death if He could!

I couldn't understand. Some things just do not make sense to our human minds. Yet I also knew He was still a God of love and that He did love her. 

This question, "Where is God in all of this?" is one each of us, at some level, in some way, will have to grapple with, and will have to grapple with before God.

God and I have had many "conversations" about this issue, and I am sure we will have many more. What I do know is that each time I cry out my questions to Him, He meets me with His love, with His compassion, and also with His character, His true nature, honoring my questions, yet answering them in a way that is true to who He is, not just giving a pandering answer to His devastated child. 

He gives me glimpses of His love over and over. For instance, even as I was in the process of writing these words to you tonight, "Any loving Father would rescue His child from death if He could!" I found myself recognizing once again even during that declaration, that our loving Father did rescue our child from death in the way that He could… and that was in sending His own Son to die so that, indeed, our child could be rescued from death. Forever.

Picture, thanks to "Remembering Homicide Victims"

Wednesday's Woe - Did The Gates of Hades Prevail that Night? (Does Death Overcome Us, or Does God Overcome Death?)

Wednesday's Woe

Did The Gates of Hades Prevail that Night?

(Does Death Overcome Us, or Does God Overcome Death?)

I was reading the Scripture today, and was startled out of my sleepy stupor when I felt certain words from the passage in Matthew 16 reach in and rip my heart out... I knew at once those words were fodder for the "grief mill," so that I needed to process them out before God. It seems my grief is a series of reworking the Scripture through my broken heart and shattered soul until His truth penetrates for what it IS, not for what it SEEMS to me in looking through Grief's eyes, tinted by the Hurt, Pain, and Angst of a grieving mother's broken heart.

Jesus replied,

"Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." ~Matthew 16:17-18

Did The Gates of Hades Prevail that Night?

(Does Death Overcome Us,

or

Does God Overcome Death?)

Father, please help me deal with what seems

To be a travesty within Your church:

The Gates of Hades ripped down our beams

As our baby was caught in Satan's lurch.

All our lives we tried, the right things to do,

T' raise children in Your nurture 'nd admonition;

I guess we thought we could rest in Heav'ns glue,

Yet one was blasted by Vile One's ammunition.

"On this rock, I will build My church," You said,

"The Gates of Hades to not overcome,"

And yet just now a child of Yours lies dead,

The Roaring Lion prowled, and devoured one.

How did the Gates of Hades "not o'ercome,"

Your vulnerable lambs trusted You t' intervene,

Our pray'rs crying out for You to save one

Who now has been destroyed by Death, obscene?

"My child, hear Me as I speak to you,

My Church is much bigger than this world;

Hades' Gates did not o'ercome~My Child died too...

Within His suff'ring His Own death, He saved your baby girl.

"Remember, My Kingdom's not of this world;

Remain steadfast~I will carry you through.

"Death's overcome. Satan will be destroyed.

Keep your eyes on Me, not on Gates of Hades' void.

"I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies...

Steep your heart in My truth, not in Satan's lies.

"Your child, in My comforting breast now lies,

For whoever believes in Me never truly dies!"

*****

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die..."

John 16:33 (Jesus speaking) "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

1 Corinthians 15:26 "The last enemy to be destroyed is death."

2 Timothy 1:9b-10 "This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning o time. But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

John 5:24 (Jesus speaking) "I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

Picture: http://anarkyman.deviantart.com/art/Gates-of-Hell-105211613

Poem - Did the Gates of Hades Prevail that Night? - Angie Bennett Prince - 3/1/2011

Scriptures taken from the NIV (New International Version)