For those who are grieving, Jesus cries for you, too.
I was talking with my 92-year-old precious neighbor about her life and how she is holding up in her older years… a conversation that continues through our days living close by as she roams over to my back yard randomly reaching out for contact and pleasantries. She’s a beautiful woman and I am blessed to spend moments with her that inspire me and evoke emotion so deeply about life and living it.
Yesterday, she wandered over again. We talked. I offered to take her grocery shopping again and she said maybe like she always does with a tear in her eye ever since she finally succumbed to not being able to drive. This was so hard for her. I remember so vividly hugging her while she cried in my back doorstep sharing the news. I told her any time she needed to “get out” to call… and she finally did. I remind her every time I see her that I am always available to help. She is always amazed at my generosity- and I am always baffled at why. It’s not difficult to “Go and do” with her. She and her husband have lived in their home for years, caring for their immaculate lawn and landscape and taking walks around the block. Truly an amazing story of love and life through the ages.
At 92 years old, the woman is a marvel… walking and talking and always dressed and groomed better than I. (Not hard to do, but for 92?!) This woman is such an amazing testimony to living the journey of life and love and loss…
Every time my dear friend talks with me, she shares about the child she lost. She has five children… all grown except for one she lost many years ago. I never quite understood what happened; as her words are often a bit convoluted and the details of her stories are murky at best. But she always shares this devastating news over and over again, as though it was the first time she told me. And every time she does, it once again penetrates my heart so deeply at the realization that this precious woman still bears the burden and pain of this loss, as though it were yesterday. She sometimes can’t remember the names of her children, the ages, or even what day it is. But she clearly remembers the day her life changed forever. I can only imagine that kind of grief. I can’t bear the thought of it with my own children.
And I often think about my friends who have lost a child. I think about my friends who have lost a parent. I think about all the victims of every earthly devastation, every mass shooting, every painful tragedy that occurs. I think of all the souls lost in wars through the ages and those whose histories bear the burden of oppression. I think of everyone who suffers such pain and grief. There are so many and we all will feel such agonizing loss at some time in our lives. It’s inevitable.
Grief and loss are forever embedded in humanity’s hearts. It strikes with an earthly pain that can swallow days, months, years, a life that is full of desperate aches forever remembering a life that once was.
I am aware of endless scripture that describes in such detail- devastation, anguish, pain, loss, and heartache. On the other side of each story comes redemption, hope and eternal life in Heaven… all of which imply that God is fully aware of this human condition. He, Himself chose to suffer the same loss of His beloved Son, in the most excruciating way known to man.
And in so doing… gave us new life in Him.
He knows grief.
Every single time I hear of a tragic loss…
I am reminded of the simple and powerful verse that speaks to grieving hearts everywhere. After hearing the news that his beloved friend Lazarus had died, Jesus showed His Humanity: He wept.
Jesus wept.
No two words together bring such comfort than reading that the God of creation, the Savior of souls, wept.
And oh, how I pray that all will find comfort in knowing we have a loving and compassionate God who weeps with us. He cries when we cry. He mourns when we mourn. He understands your pain and feels your ache.
He sits with you in the darkness and He will never leave you there.
For those who are grieving, Jesus cries for you, too.
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Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much sis… 🙂
Absolutely, #BEAUTIFUL#
This is so beautiful Chris and it reminds me how we are all connected to each other, through loss. We all have suffered loss, and wouldn’t it be beautiful if when we found ourselves comparing or finding reasons to separate ourselves from people who we don’t like or are criticizing, if we just stepped back and reminded ourselves that we have this common thread with that other person, and with everyone really, and to connect with that other soul with this empathy.
Yes! I love that perspective Ilene! It’s just so true that there is no one who doesn’t experience this “human condition”… it is one of the most significant life experiences that every soul endures at one time or another. It unites us all, as we all face mortality and loss.
Beautiful, Chris. Thank you.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read it, Adrienne. 🙂
Oh Chris – this is such a beautiful and compassionate piece. We all feel pain and grief, and yes, it stays with us forever. It changes us. But it is an essential element of being human and loving, isn’t it? Thank you for writing this and sharing your neighbor’s story.
I thought of you when I wrote this, Alexa… you were in my heart with a few others who have experienced a painful loss. Oh how I pray you feel Him with you in your moments of grief and sadness! He weeps… too.
What a perfect Memorial Day weekend post, Chris. As a painful as it must be to relive the trauma of her losing her child, I have no doubt your neighbor is comforted by your words and your presence.
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement Jen!! It really struck me with our last conversation… that inspired this post. Loss lasts forever. And sometimes the only source of comfort is knowing He cries too… and is with you in your grief.
And then there was Erle. This will always be a sorrowful week for me. . .he fought death hard, but I know God accepted him with open arms. I felt it happen and it was a glorious moment.
Thanks, again, Chrissy!
I think of Erle too… constantly on my heart mom. I re-live that long stormy night and my heart sinks in sadness. I think it so fitting that he left us so closely to Memorial Day. Every time the recital comes around, I am reminded of the news from Candy. My Erle’s legacy and amazing imprint on this world live forever…
Praying for you through it all, mom.
Beautiful, Chris. Really, truly beautiful. And it embodies the meaning of Memorial Day; it’s not about picnics and bonfires, but about remembering and paying homage to those who fought for our freedoms and paved the way to those picnics and bonfires.
Thanks for sharing this <3
Thanks so much Stephanie!!! There is pain and loss everywhere… and knowing that God’s loving compassion is present during those times of suffering, is such a comfort. xoxo
Chris, this is beautiful. When my heart is so heavy that I feel like I need to put it down I feel comfort in knowing that Christ is grieving right along with me. We’re not alone.
Thank you.
There truly is such comfort in knowing this truth, isn’t there Stephanie? We have a loving and compassionate Creator who understand every condition of the heart. Oh I am so grateful for that promise!!
This is such a wonderful devotion…especially with memorial day being tomorrow. Jesus showed his humanity and also showed that he feels our pain and understands our suffering. It’s wonderful Chris that you can be there for your elderly neighbor. It goes to show that the pain of loss can stay with us for so long. My mom has been gone for almost 5 years and my dad for 3 years and the pain associate with their loss is still so great. This post is very comforting. Have a wonderful Memorial Day.
Thank you so much Hope… I know you have that weight of grief on your heart for both your parents. I just can’t imagine that kind of loss and pain… but God can. And I pray that in your moments of sadness, you sense His Comforting Presence…
Oh the tears are streaming down my cheeks. Such a beautiful story of friendship between neighbors and our friendship with Christ. I can almost see your face as you listen to this woman tell her story of pain and loss again. What a blessing you are – to each other no doubt. We are not made for bearing the weight of loss, are we?…sigh. Thank God for His Son, for His grace, and for welcoming us into his kingdom.
Yes yes yes!!! When you were sharing on Sunday, I kept thinking about what I wrote here. May your loved one know this precious truth… he is not alone in his tears. God is right there weeping with him. I am praying for that beautiful man…
Thank you Chris. We covet your prayers. Love you
Love you SO much wallapoopiebestie!! 😉
So beautiful. Thank you for sharing. This is one I will return to when I’m looking for comfort.
Thank you so much for stopping by Tricia! I find so much comfort in knowing God has human tears and compassion for us all… We can always find Him “in it” with us… for that I am so grateful!
Beautiful and touching my friend! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you SO much for always giving me encouragement… your support fuels my passion! Love you so much, Marcia.
Oh my goodness, this was so touching and heartfelt. And your sweet neighbor sounds amazing. Perfect thing to read today…really made me stop and think.-Ashley
I honestly thought of you and Meredith (among others) especially when writing this post. I am sure your Mother’s Day was bittersweet, Ashley. Always have you and Meredith in my prayers…
“…God is fully aware of this human condition.”
And every other condition and emotion we have. Thank you for these words of encouragement!
Such a beautiful post!
Blessings,
Angie
OH thank you so much for stopping by Angie! I am always so comforted in knowing this truth! 🙂
I know your neighbor appreciates your compassion Chris! It means a lot to people to have someone who they can talk to and share their pain. You are most definitely a blessing to her.
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement Michelle!!!! She is such a dear… it’s not often someone like her crosses your path. I am the one that is blessed! 🙂
Such a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much Andrea… I so appreciate you stopping by to read it, my friend!