This past weekend one of our dear members died in her sleep after countless years of health problems. She leaves behind 3 teenage girls. I have been in year-round ministry since 1996. This is the fourth time I have had this happen in my ministry. It is never easy and there are never any "good" words to say. Sometimes that is just what we need to know. Our verbal vocabulary cannot do justice to death, loss, or grief. We cannot answer for God and the mystery of grief is overwhelming. The one thing that I have continued to learn in my journey in ministry is that the older I get, the more knowledge I have, the less I know. There are no words for when people suddenly die. There are no words for when little children become consumed with Cancer that won't go away. There are no words for families shattered through broken covenants. There are no words for being lost in a pile of bills with homelessness in the near future. There are no words for genocide, abuse of women and children, racism, hatred, and any circumstance that seems to be out of our control and outside the values of God.
With grief there are no words, but there are some simple actions that help others in a time of distress. One of the best things people can do is be a quiet presence. A hug, a handhold, or an arm around a shoulder can bring a sense of calm to a chaotic soul. Also, you can pray (silently). Pray for the family, pray for God's comfort/peace, pray for their grief to be healthy. Words will not be remembered, but actions will. Love is the best sermon ever given. God is love and when we are love to those in grief, we become, through the Holy Spirit, the presence of God in a difficult time.
There will be a time later, when words are needed. When those that have grieved will need words of encouragement, words of wisdom, and maybe even explanation. However, in the midst of the heartache, fill the void with love, not words.
As for other atrocities that plague people like some listed above other actions are needed. But that is a blog for a different day. Today I mourn for these girls and their sweet mother and the whole family who have lost a loved one.
With grief there are no words, but there are some simple actions that help others in a time of distress. One of the best things people can do is be a quiet presence. A hug, a handhold, or an arm around a shoulder can bring a sense of calm to a chaotic soul. Also, you can pray (silently). Pray for the family, pray for God's comfort/peace, pray for their grief to be healthy. Words will not be remembered, but actions will. Love is the best sermon ever given. God is love and when we are love to those in grief, we become, through the Holy Spirit, the presence of God in a difficult time.
There will be a time later, when words are needed. When those that have grieved will need words of encouragement, words of wisdom, and maybe even explanation. However, in the midst of the heartache, fill the void with love, not words.
As for other atrocities that plague people like some listed above other actions are needed. But that is a blog for a different day. Today I mourn for these girls and their sweet mother and the whole family who have lost a loved one.
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