"Time Heals All Wounds..." Really? When?

   Time is a gift many of us have.  It helps us refocus, recharge, and move on.  Other times it becomes an enemy that we have to wade through and overcome. Getting through until the next day or even the next hour can be akin to climbing Mount Everest backwards in a snowstorm without your trusty sherpa.  Please pray for Danielle today. Her husband Brandon died of my form of lymphoma one month ago yesterday.  Here is today's Facebook post from her:

It was one month ago yesterday. Still seems like just yesterday I was sitting there right next to you in the hospital room with all the hope in the world that this would turn around. Not a second of a day goes by that your not on my mind. You were so much more then my husband-you were my best friend, my whole world, the best dad ever, the boys’ whole world, such a strong man of faith and a great leader of our family. We had so many laughs over the 12 and a half years we had together. At only 29, I know that without a doubt you gave me absolutely the best 12 and a half years of my entire life. I miss you so much babe and can’t wait until we reunite one day in heaven 💚💚💚

  Do you know of someone who is grieving a recent loss?  Pray for them.  There are plenty of distractions those first few days -- friends, family, funeral, meals, cards and well-wishes -- but it is not long before the frequency of those well-wishes ebbs.  After a while, one can be left to find their own way.  Grief is a strange entity that cannot be timed or measured or predicted.  Every so often it just raises its ugly head and grabs the bereaved person in unexpected ways.  If someone you know comes to mind, I challenge you to send a note, a card, or an e-mail that can be a reminder that you are still praying for them and still want them to feel a sense of encouragement.  (By the way, if you are not still praying, pray now.  God is not keeping a tally on such things.  He just wants to hear from us.) Danielle has great memories of her time with Brandon on this earth.  These are gifts from God, not punishments.  Tears of grief can often remind us of how blessed we have been.  They can also point to a future when there will be no more tears, no more grief, no more sadness.

Jesus, hold Danielle close to you today.  

Let her know that she is surrounded by people who care about her.  

Help her to know that when she is hurting, when grief jumps up like a wolf in chase of its prey, 

she can count on God's people to rise up for her and present her to you for comfort.  

Help us not to be petrified by grief, 
but to take it -- to keep standing -- and allow it to make us stronger.  

Easy say...hard do.  Bless Danielle today.  Bless us all in this regard.  Amen.