John 11:35
Jesus wept.
As I reveal in my last post, when I announce that I simply have to take a break from blogging, the support of your kind words and the promised prayers have buoyed me in ways you cannot possibly imagine. I am grateful to all of you beyond measure.
And I feel I owe each and every one of you an explanation for my prolonged absence here.
I receive an email from my daughter, Sarah, mid-January, with the last news I ever expect to hear. Her husband, John, has been offered a much better job opportunity in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She's excited about the move, but scared at the same time. Sarah has never lived anywhere but Georgia, has always been in relatively close proximity to my husband, Danny, and me, and we've always been available when our help is needed.
Eldest granddaughter, Virginia Rose, and I are joined at the hip. She is unabashedly my heart. You who have consistently and faithfully followed my blog already know that. So, my first reaction to Sarah's missive? Retreat to the deck and dissolve into a tirade of tears.
Grief overtakes me, overwhelms me, and in the ensuing weeks, I find myself miserably dancing between all five stages of grief: Denial; Anger; Depression; Bargaining; Acceptance. Yes, it's an all-out pity party, with depression taking center stage.
Whatever will I do without my girls???
As if this turn of events isn't enough of a travesty, other sad and troubling news seeps into our lives during this time. The deaths of a mother and her still-born baby. A dear friend diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. A car accident which takes the lives of a beloved blogger's brother and sister-in-law. A marriage disintegrating into divorce.
The evil one, it seems, knows exactly how and when to pull out all the stops.
Yet, I cling hard and fast to the love of God as shown through His Son, Christ Jesus. He became one of us that our relationship with the Father could be restored. He felt every emotion we feel, and He understands our grief and our hurts.
When we weep, Jesus weeps with us.
And that has been my comforting reminder during this excruciating chapter in my life. I so want God to turn this painful page, but I know He will when the time is right.
Are any of you grieving a loss? It would be my honor to pray for you. And I would so appreciate your prayers for John, Sarah, Virginia, Savannah, and Alexandra as they begin this new adventure.
Prayers for Danny and me are welcomed, too, as our hearts are breaking.
Amen.
