Pastor Dewey Moede: We grieve hard, because we love hard.
So many people are grieving right now here on Sunday. Be careful what you do, do not say anything stupid to people who have lost a loved one. Like, “Oh he is up in heaven playing basketball.” Or, “She is now driving school bus for all those in heaven.” I have heard a lot of that stuff. Be so very careful what you say and do. Hugs, tears, and a lot of sympathy are so much better than many words. Just being there for those of the deceased is enough. Over the last 13 years I have officiated nearly 200 funeral services. For various reasons such as many no longer have a Pastor. I always give a message of love and salvation. If your family ever needs help, you can contact me below. It would be a blessing to serve you.
Remember, the passing of the loved one, is very RAW to the family. The wounds of death sting like nothing else.
Thanks toy Gary Roe for another precious message:
Loss is terribly painful. The grief journey can be very challenging.
Here’s another Grief Affirmation for you.
I will grieve not only what I lost but also what I never had. I will express my heart fully and honestly.
After the death of a loved one, we’re overwhelmed by all that we’ve lost.
As we’re grieving, eventually our minds go to the things we never had. The things we never got to experience with them. The places we never went. The experiences we never had.
And since no relationship is perfect, we grieve what wasn’t in addition to what was.
Our hearts long for so much. In fact, they long for perfection. In the depths of our being, we long for what is described by the Hebrew word shalom.
Shalom is more than peace. It is heart and soul well-being in every part of our lives – in our families, in our relationships, in our workplaces and communities. We long for perfect peace in our relationship with God and with other people.
Solomon said that God has placed eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We hunger for God Himself, to be with Him, to be home. To be in that ultimate safe place of perfection where there is no death, mourning, crying, or pain.
We will not experience perfect shalom in this fallen, broken, sin-infested world. Jesus told us we would experience tribulation and trials here. Thankfully, we get to experience many good things amid all the loss, challenges, and grief of this life.
So we grieve what we lost and also what we never had. We grieve looking forward. We grieve even as we look forward to the place that Jesus said He is preparing for us (John 14:1-3). We long for home.
Amid Job’s horrific suffering and grief, he makes this powerful statement of faith:
I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth…
I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25, 27, NIV)
Job yearned for the Lord. He knew where he was going. He longed for home. On many levels, we’ve been longing for home all our lives.
Today, we look back and grieve. We grieve what we lost and what we never had. We mourn what was and what wasn’t.
We also look ahead, past whatever challenges we fear might be in front of us. We gaze beyond future trials and tribulations. We set our minds on things above. We set our hearts on Jesus. We think about home.
We will see Him. That will be a glorious day indeed. We will now forever be with Him and with all who know Him. Perfect shalom.
Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, lives. Because he lives, we also will live (John 14:18-19).
I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth…
I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25, 27, NIV)
Lord Jesus, my Redeemer, You have conquered death. You have taken away my sin and brought me into Your life – eternal life. One day, I will see You, and all will be well. Give me power to grieve well. Bring Your healing to my mind, heart, and body. I choose to trust You. Come Lord Jesus. In Jesus’ name…
Be kind to yourself today.
Until next time,
Gary
Gary Roe – Author, Speaker, Grief Specialist
Website: https://www.garyroe.com
Bookstore: https://www.garyroe.com/books
Pastor Dewey Moede: Heaven is a prepared place, are you prepared for Heaven?
Sharon and I send our love and prayers to you all who are mourning the loss of a loved one. Contact me below if we can help you, no matter where you live.
