“Jesus wept.” John 11:35, NAS
June 3, 2011, would have been my Grandma Dae’s 90th birthday. I entertained thoughts of celebrating this day in honor of my grandmother whom I so desperately miss. Instead, I found myself traveling to Nebraska for my Grandma Tracy’s funeral. She died at her home, peacefully sitting in her chair at the age of 94. My baseball buddy is gone (she was an Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies fan). I will no longer be able to talk with her about the game she loved or hear her say at the end of our phone calls, “I love you too, honey.”
This new season of grief has brought back the sadness afresh over losing my other grandmother 18 months before that. I find myself mourning in double time. It makes me feel alone sometimes, because two important maternal figures in my life are no longer here in the flesh. I am very grateful to God that I was able to have both of my grandmothers until I was almost 50. They were well in body and mind up to the very end. No longer do we, their loved ones, have to worry about them going through a long and drawn out end-of-life illness. I thank the Lord that He didn’t take Grandma Tracy immediately after Grandma Dae died. The sharp edge of the pain had receded a bit.
Grieving the loss of a person is a one-of-a-kind experience. No two situations are alike—personalities are different, relationships with that person who has died are unique, and we are all at various places spiritually and mentally. Others can come alongside and support us when we are mourning, but the path I walk when I lose a loved one is distinctive to only me.
Life brings us many situations in which we may find ourselves mourning. Several years ago, we had one of those “unique” losses. The house we lived in backed up to a mall. The City decided to tear it down and build a new outdoor shopping center. All the houses on our side of the street had to be removed. So, we not only had to move, but all of our neighbors on that side were suddenly scattered to different parts of the city; one even moved out of state. I missed the people. I missed my home where two of our boys were born. I missed the big tree in the backyard that our boys had swings in. I even missed the mall that was a source of cheap entertainment for a young mom with small children.
Perhaps you are going through a time of grieving right now. Maybe it’s over a loved one who has passed away. But, perhaps it’s something different like a layoff from a job, a relationship gone awry, a beloved pet dying, a child leaving the nest, or a declining health issue. Whatever it is, be assured that God knows how your heart is breaking. He hurts with us when we are struggling through a loss, and He is faithful to help us. Remember that He will be by your side through the whole journey, He will mend your broken heart, and He will provide everything that you need.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3, NAS
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, NAS
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:2, NAS
Peace and blessing from the Lord God, Tammy
©2011 Tammy Maseberg All Rights Reserved
