Grieving With Hope
The Love We Carry With Us
“…so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13
Those Haunting Words
“Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve…” can be haunting words. Grief has a way of magnifying our errors of commission and omission, leaving us replaying moments we can no longer change.
Yet no one can look back on a perfect life.
We can bring our regrets to Abba without allowing them to become the whole story of the love we shared.
What Grief Reveals
Grief awakens us to the reality of life.
It highlights what is important while pushing aside so many things we once thought were urgent.
We see the precious life of relationships against the tyranny of tasks. In this dance of life, people matter; things are props at best and distractions at worst. We remember a laugh, a familiar voice, or simply the comfort of being together.
Hope Makes Room
Hope doesn’t require us to make our grief look better than it feels.
We can miss someone terribly without believing our tears reveal a lack of faith.
We look forward to the fullness of life with our Father, but His comfort isn’t something we must wait until then to receive. Jesus shares this day with us, including the places where words won’t come.
The Love That Continues
The love we have received continues through our everyday walking-around lives—in the mercy we offer, the stories we share, and the people we care for.
We don’t have to stop missing someone before that love can bless another person.
Their life mattered, and the love they gave us continues to impact us and others as we walk with Him.
Reflection
What regret could I bring into Abba’s mercy?
What memory would I like to share with someone who will listen?
How is the love I received still finding expression through me?
Prayer
Abba Father, hold us close in what we miss. Let Your mercy meet our regrets and Your Love give us room to grieve with hope. Amen.