Time for weeping

[Hope]

A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping
for
her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no
more.
Matthew 2:18


There are times when there is no consolation for grief. There is no
comfort.
In these times we feel that those who try to comfort us do not
understand
the vastness of our pain. All we know, all we see, is the terrible loss
we have suffered. The world feels as if it should stop. Nothing matters
but our loss.


We weep and rage and long for the return of what we have lost.


This happened to many of the families living in Bethlehem at the time
of
Jesus' birth. In hopes of killing the Messiah, Herod ordered that the
oldest
male child under two years old in that town be put to death. It was
into
this world of violence and terror that Jesus was born. The Christmas
story
is not a fairy tale with happy endings, but a story about real life and
terrible loss.


There are times in our lives for weeping without comfort, for weeping
with
anguish and rage. God has come before into times like this. God comes
as
well into our times of anguish and rage. Because God comes there will
eventually
be a time to be comforted. And a time to heal. And a time to go on.


But there is a time to weep. It cannot be rushed, or bypassed. There is
a time for weeping.


God, hold me when I weep,
when I refuse comfort,
when I cannot see beyond this pain.
Give me courage to grieve deeply, Lord.
Help me to tolerate the silence,
as I wait for you to speak.
Help me to survive the loneliness
as I await your coming.
Help me to grieve in ways
that draw me closer to you.
Amen.


Copyright 1991 Dale and Juanita Ryan

[Hope]

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.Matthew 5:4


Jesus pronounced a blessing on people who are courageous enough to
grieve.
Nothing could be more surprising than this. When we grieve, we often
feel
like spiritual failures. But God sees things differently. From God's
perspective,
mourning is valued. It is an occasion for blessing. It comes with the
opportunity
for comfort.


To be comforted is to be held in the safety of arms you trust. To be
comforted
is to weep and rage in the company of someone who loves us. The hard
edges
of the pain are soothed. Strength and hope return in some measure.
Healing
begins.


Grieving is a commitment to the hard work of facing reality and
allowing
ourselves to feel the full range of emotions God has given us. It is
painful
work. But it is work that is blessed by God.


Father of comfort,
you are my refuge and strength,
my help in times of trouble.
Were it not for your faithfulness,
I would hide from my pain.
I would choose not to see my losses.
I would not be able to face what has happened.
Man of sorrow, teach me to grieve.
Give me the courage to mourn
so that I can be comforted.
Amen.


Copyright 1991 Dale and Juanita Ryan

[indigo]

Thank you for sharing this with us.

[ladyjane]

Thank you Hope
Trish

[Hope]

[deedee]

Thank you Hope ...