Perhaps it’s time to meet my teacher, Grief.
There is a time you come into in life where you will meet a teacher called grief. While some may meet this friend earlier, most meet this friend for the first time in their late 20’s.
Grief comes to teach us how to handle what we have lost, and also how to accept what we have never gained. We can only Grieve things we can NOT change: Maybe something as simple as hair loss or a scar. Maybe the loss of mobility, innocence or youthfulness. Maybe you grieve the years gone by. Or the moments that never came for you. Maybe the dream wedding you didn’t get to have. The child you have never conceived. Or the death of a pet, a loved one or family member.
This year has even been a year we could honestly grieve. We have missed out on a lot of life moments and memories. We have seen death and disease like never before. In a sense, our normality was lost.
Grief comes in and almost forces you to face the facts. She seems to appear at the most inopportune times. A friend’s wedding, a holiday, a new baby’s arrival, a birthday. She shows up out of no where and requests your attention. When we fight her teaching, we end up on a vicious cycle of denial, rejection and depression.
However obtrusive she may feel, she is not your enemy. She is your companion. Take her hand and let her be a part of your life this Season. Today. While, she is a constant reminder of what you have never had, or had and then lost, she is also a teacher.
What can she teach?
She can teach you how to live life to the fullest.
To treasure days of health and community.
To be intentional with your family time.
To connect to others in the ways that you can do.
To build community in your world.
Grief will not leave you wanting to never love again. When she is done teaching, you will be ready to build another friendship, learn a new way to accept the new you, to reach out to someone, make time for the ones you love.
Grief leaves you with a heart that is ready to and open to give and receive Love.
Merry Christmas. This year I pray that you can accept my friend, companion and teacher, Grief.
She only offers night classes, for joy comes in the morning.
Lori Green
#lorigreenworship
