Mourning the Loss --- and Rejoicing.

Two days ago, a family I am acquainted with experienced the death of their precious and beautiful daughter.  After a long struggle with brain cancer, she was taken into the arms of our Heavenly Father.  Others cannot truly know the loss, the pain… the sorrow in the hearts of this family.  Surrounded by those who love them offering comfort, there is an emptiness, an anxious void, disappointed dreams, tears…

There are no words that can express the loss.  There are no words to take away the hurt. 

Our family knows this.  May 12, 1994, our baby girl was taken into the loving arms of Our Lord. 

Even knowing my own sorrow, I can have no comprehension of their loss – all I have to give this family is very heartfelt, loving prayer.

Father,

Your ways are not our ways; Your thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8).  We have no words we can say to this family.  But You do.  I pray Lord that You speak to their hearts – through Your Word, through others around them…through the whispers that only You can speak directly to their hearts.  Assure them of Your presence as they feel brokenhearted and crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).  Let them see You, feel You, hear You in a tangible audible and visual manner – ever present, walking through this valley.  In this time of great sorrow allow them to see triumph.  Give them comfort as you proclaim - “Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting? …But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57).”  Assure them of Your compassion and unfailing love (Lamentations 3:32).  Assure them that even when they feel nothing but emptiness in their hearts and feel they have no words to pray, you understand and hear for the Spirit prays for them with groans words cannot understand (Romans 8:26).  Allow them to cling to Your promise that you will personally “wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).   As they wonder how to continue, what each day now holds, or what to look for to face the next moment at times – give them Your hope (Psalms 39:7).  Let “your unfailing love rest upon” them as they put their hope in You (Psalms 33:22).  Grant them with the knowledge that pain and healing can exist together.  There can be mourning and rejoicing. 

Rejoicing of what was - there was laughter, joyful moments, memories, hugs, time – although not enough, a life lived, faith in her heart.

Rejoicing of what is – relief, healing, salvation, perfection, joy, love…all of which exists in Your glorious presence. 

Rejoicing of what will be – reunion.

Let them know as Pastor Bill said to us “Our Christian faith has in its heart a song that cannot be silenced, a praise that our tears cannot still.”

I pray this and all the words in my heart that I cannot express in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen