The Paradox of Grieving

 

 

Mourning a loss but celebrating a victory. 

The world keeps spinning but yet time stands still. 

Seeing more clearly even though tears blur my vision. 

Feeling the need to grieve alone and also feeling the need to be surrounded by family. 

Having dulled but yet heightened senses. 

Being heavenly minded but being more intentional about living on earth. 

Reminiscing over the past and clinging to hope for tomorrow. 

Incredible sadness and unbelievable joy. 

Considering the promise filled sunrise and the finality of a peaceful sunset. 

Feeling closer to my loved one that has passed when we have never been further apart. 

Weeping, mourning, laughing and rejoicing. 

A mortal body dies and an immortal spirit lives forever.

By Miriam Hurst    

This is a poem I wrote a few years ago after I lost my dad. It has ministered to me often over the years and I have had the opportunity to share it with people who are also processing grief. I pray it blesses every reader!

                                                                                                      

Freedom in Open Waters

 

Recently I was vacationing in the Adirondacks with some friends. We were staying in a cottage right on the edge of a large lake. We had kayaks, a canoe and floating tubes to spend our time there relaxing and having fun in and on the water. At least that’s what our plans were. As it turned out, we had periods of rain most every day and it was chilly for that time of year. So our best made plans didn’t quite turn out the way we had hoped. Reading and playing games filled our time and on occasion we would go for a quick paddle when the sun peaked out. I was the only one who had been to this particular place before and on previous occasions I went out on a pontoon boat, and got to see all of the lake with its extraordinary beauty. I noticed on this trip with my friends, they weren’t as excited to go exploring on the water because they were concerned about the weather or the water getting rough. Now I was the only one who knew how beautiful it was to get out past the cove where our cottage was located and break out into the vastness of the lake. They were content to stay near the cove. I will be the first to admit that I am not the world’s greatest adventurer, I am more timid by nature, but I was chomping at the bit to go out further, because I knew what was on the other side. Do you see where I am going with this? Being there that weekend, I had an epiphany about breakthrough. Our human nature draws us to the familiar, the comfortable, and the known. It’s hard for us to step out into uncharted waters. We could be so close to a beautiful place but stay stuck in what feels safe. Why? Because we haven’t experienced what is on the other side. Once you’ve gotten a taste of being out in the open spaces of a beautiful lake it’s hard to stay in a sheltered cove, and once you’ve gotten a taste of freedom, you aren’t content with the confining walls of protection you have built around yourself. Freedom in Christ is right there for the taking, we just need to step into it. Fear, intimidation, shame, hurt, pride and unforgiveness etc, are the strongholds that keep us in a self-made, protective prison. It’s all we know so it feels familiar and comfortable. We aren’t able to experience the beauty of unencumbered movement until the shackles are off our feet.

Are you moving forward, paddling into the lake or are you stuck by the shoreline, frozen by fear or disappointment? Would you like to go with me on a paddle to the middle of the lake and experience the beauty? Would you like to know what freedom in Christ feels like? Do you truly desire to be free?

2 Corintians3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom."

John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

Ephesians 3:12 "In Him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."

Pray this prayer with me; Oh Lord, you know all the intricate details of our hearts. You know the times we have been hurt or felt unprotected. You were with us every step of the way even when we felt so alone. Holy Spirit, come and minister to our hearts and heal the places where we have been wounded. Help us to forgive those who have hurt us or spoken badly about us. Help us to step into the deep water of healing so we are able to row out into the unknown and float in your love and care for us. Help us to be assured that you will provide all we need for the adventure ahead.

These Boots Were Made for Adventure

 

I have a pair of hiking boots that I wear whenever we will be going on long walks on rough terrain. I wear them to give me better support, so that I don’t turn my ankle on a rock. Their deep treads also give me better grip on slippery surfaces. On a recent road trip, I remember taking a picture of my feet sitting on the edge of a cliff, looking out over a vast, breathtaking vista in Glacier National Park. I posted that picture on social media and the caption said, “Whenever I wear these boots I know there is an adventure ahead.” When I wrote that caption I felt in my spirit there was a deeper meaning to the excitement when wearing those boots. Part of the intrigue about an adventure is not knowing exactly what you will be facing. It’s going for a hike with the anticipation of seeing glorious vistas and rippling brooks but also knowing there could be steep inclines and slippery rocks in your path. Adventure is moving ahead while embracing the unknown. Sometimes you have guides to follow on your hike or recommendations from previous hikers and sometimes you forge ahead blindly. It has been my experience that even if you have recommendations you still don’t fully know what it’s going to be like because everyone’s interpretation of the trail is different. My interpretation of a moderately difficult hike is termed as an easy hike to really experienced hikers, like my husband. So, I guess you can quickly surmise what our hiking experiences have been like together. You would be correct in your assumptions. Hiking is even more of an adventure when we hike together. However, it doesn’t deter us from hiking. If we avoided conflicts and challenges, keeping ourselves wrapped in a happy, protected environment, we would never experience the joy of a panoramic view of mountain peaks or a refreshing waterfall.

 I find this to correlate very well with our journey through life. We can stay safe and keep our hearts protected from people and circumstances. We can sidestep away from conflict. We can avoid possible failures. We can take the easy road – never try anything new, never start a business, never share our creative side, never be vulnerable, never speak in front of a group, never pray out loud – and the list goes on. Or, we can follow the impressions from the Lord and test out new things. We can follow our hearts and embrace new adventures that may leave us temporarily confused and winded. However, stepping out of our comfort zones and living life to its fullest is so invigorating, energizing and inspiring. Sure, it’s not as “safe” but adventures make us stronger, they make us more Christ-like.

I don’t know about you but I want to fit up my hiking boots for a spiritual journey that will take me on exploits far beyond my abilities. I want the Holy Spirit to be my guide and lead me places I never thought I could go. I want to reach the God inspired vistas and be breathless, wondrously exhausted and incredibly exhilarated! Come with me – let’s lace up!