Froggy Grief

Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Take Up Thy Cross"1 (Lyrics)

"So then, how are you doing now?" they ask. I muster up my best going-forward face and say "Oh, good, thanks," then change the subject as fast as I can. Some days, what I say is true, but some days, it is not. Grief is like a frog struggling up the side of a well, bent on escape into fresh air and solid ground. Just as the frog climbs up a couple of feet, he loses his grip and slides back down. Then, he has to start all over again.

It's over three years since my husband died, but some days, it feels like yesterday.

Psalm 6:6-7 – I'm tired of all this — so tired. My bed has been floating forty days and nights on the flood of my tears. My mattress is soaked, soggy with tears. The sockets of my eyes are black holes; nearly blind, I squint and grope. (MSG)

But in all of this, repeatedly, I find God as faithful as ever to my lonely and distressed widow self. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He comforted all who lost loved ones years before me, and the ones since, and yes, the ones in the years to come. What a gracious God!

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages). (AMP)

Prayer: Thanks, God. Your promises are true and real and forever, and they are ours. Amen.

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About the author:

Brenda Wood <brenda.w@nextcom.ca>
Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Thank You!!


    Bless you Brenda. Thanks for sharing.


    Dear Brenda,
    Thank you Brenda, for showing us your faith in the ever-the-same Lord God.
    Keep looking forward to eternity: It enthuses us for our day to day living.


    The path you walk is a hard one; a lonely one, and yet you are such a bright beacon of light and strength for others – no matter what they are dealing with.
    You are much-loved.


    Hi Brenda
    I hope you feel better today. Loved your devotions but feel for you in your grief.
    Will keep you in my prayers.
    Blessings.


    Hello Brenda
    I really appreciate this kind of “personal sharing of experience” – much more than the preachy meditations.
    Thank you for sharing.


    Hi Brenda
    I believe we all go through your situation one time or another.
    The best solution is to say in the Word. The Holy Spirit will give you the unction.
    Many Blessing to you.


    I understand your dilemma. I have not lost a husband (thank the Lord for that) but I have had health issues. NOW what do I say or my husband when people ask how I am doing my husband says I just say coming along.
    Whatever you say some people never listen I am so thankful for my husband as he has assumed so many of the daily chores.
    I keep telling people we must appreciate our partners when we have them because as I see it life is never the same again.


    Dear Brenda, I share your thoughts and feelings about grief, even though it is several years since I became a widow.
    Being a widow is often lonely as you well know. Yet other times I find that mostly the good times surface and not the struggling not so good times. To me that is God’s mercy. Folks, if you know a widow in your circle, keep in touch – not constantly, but every once in a while. It is appreciated. Instead of eating at home alone, night after night, it would be nice if some one were to say, let’s go out to dinner. God is still the God of all comfort, thank you God, and thank you Brenda.


    Wow — after I read this I pushed my chair back and gazed out the window.
    What a bright and sunny day. You brought tears to my eyes and brought my thinking of my husband and the suffering he goes through each and every day. Once more I paused — had a sip of coffee and here I am back again. My thoughts once more are tucked inside. Yes I know God has a plan for us all but sometimes it just doesn’t seem fair.
    I know there is nothing I can say to comfort you and I am not going to even try. I met you here on the Daily.
    Let it out dear sister in Christ and one day all will be opened up to us. God Bless.


    Oh Brenda:
    My heart is sad for you because I know you must miss your dear husband the love you shared and the fellowship you enjoyed with each other.
    Grief certainly can cause one to feel like a frog struggling up the side of a well, bent on escape into fresh air and solid ground.
    Several years ago, after we lost our son, I too wondered if I would ever make it past the next day or even the next hour ahead. But praise God, over and over again, I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and My Lord’s hand in mine, guiding me through each day and each night enlightening my spirit by assuring me my son was with Him and He would not leave me alone to endure my broken heart without supplying me with the strength I needed to carry on.
    Thank you for reminding our readers. “What a gracious God!” are words we can offer to those who are broken-hearted and lonely due to the loss of a dear one. Please place your hand in the hand of He who stilled the Waters and He will guide, protect, assure and love us through our time of despair.
    I loved this message, made me realize others mourn deeply also.


    Thanks you Brenda. I took a copy of this one to our Bible Study. We were discussing death and grief, it was helpful.
    God Bless you.


    Hello Brenda! I well remember wise words spoken with a person who had just suffered a loss of a loved one – “God gives us tears to grieve for a little while, and so you will, but if you are still feeling that overpowering grief after time, you may need to talk to someone about it”
    We all grieve differently. I can’t say I ever “grieved”. Oh I miss my beloved’s company at times, but I have since been very blessed by Jesus’ omnipresence these past few years, and am so uplifted, and yes, can rejoice in my present circumstance with Him. I am sure you also experience the same comfort my dear sister in Christ.


    Thank you for your encouraging scriptures. My husband entered a long term care facility a few years ago and it has taken me that long to adjust to life changes. It is never easy. I find when I am really stressed about things I focus on that task that needs to be attended to at that moment and only that!
    Yes there have been down times and that is when I reach out to friends and acquaintances to keep busy. Yes sometimes I just want to be alone to contemplate and pray and give thanks for the blessings that I am here and reasonably healthy and able to serve whether it be my family, friends and neighbours in the church, or the community. Hopefully these thoughts might help although your situation is different it does require both of us to carry on!
    He is there and holds us in the palm of His hand and that is a wonderful scripture you quoted He is the same yesterday today and tomorrow! Keep well, stay strong, keep cheery, and I wish you many blessings.


    Thank you, Brenda, for your loving emotions. Know that you are in royal company with your tears mingling with our Lord’s, as He had to hold back legions of angels coming to rescue His beloved Son, our beloved Saviour. As there is joy in heaven at the victory of Jesus, that joyful victory allows you to receive it and live it on earth, in the certain knowledge that all is well with your loved one.

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