Day: April 11, 2020

Lent 2020: Week 7 — Relive

Saturday, April 11th, 2020

John 19:38-40

Today is Saturday, the day after Jesus’ crucifixion and there is grief and loss. The grieving process is different for each person though the stages of it remain relatively the same. From my personal experience grief has had an ebb and flow rhythm to it. Time has helped and the missing is always there, I’m ok with that because I’m no longer afraid of the missing. I have beautiful memories and my heart is full. Rev. Sam talks about the Jewish practice of Shiva when someone dies. And in her devotional today she shares her personal story of loss on page 47. When people are grieving is not the words or the things people say and do, it’s their presence that makes all the difference.

Below is an excerpt from an article I found online at: https://reformjudaism.org/practice/lifecycle-and-rituals/death-mourning/everything-you-need-know-about-jewish-custom-shiva

“The psychological brilliance of Judaism is apparent in its carefully ritualized structure for dealing with grief. The open expression of sorrow is part of the process, even encouraged. Yet, beginning with the family’s arrival at home after burial, a process begins that leads the bereaved gently but firmly back to life and the world of the living.”

“The first stage in this gradual process of healing is called shiva. The period of shiva is intended to see mourners through the first days of intense grief and disorientation; Jewish tradition recognizes that grief continues long after shiva and offers additional rituals to support mourners beyond this initial period of grief.”

Today, let us be mindful of life and death. Our world is currently in the midst of a horrible pandemic and thousands have died due to the illness. Let us lift up in prayer to God all those grieving the loss of a loved one, a beloved member of someone’s family. I recently found out that a family member of mine had lost her husband of 21 years. I cannot attend the service and many people who want to cannot due to the current limitations surrounding COVID-19 and social distancing. As soon as I heard the news I reached out to family members to give me condolences. In times like this we often feel helpless but that is so not true. We always have our prayers, God will hear our prayers. He is our Rock and our Redeemer. I know my cousins will be ok, they believe in God and in His Love. We all know that Dave is with the Lord and we will see him again. The grieving is…our hearts will miss him.

“I thought I could describe a state; make a map of sorrow. Sorrow, however, turns out to be not a state but a process.”

—C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

Practice:

Be in contact with someone grieving. If you need words, try: “God is with you. So am I. What do you need?”

ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below. 

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️

References:

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://www.abingdonpress.com/

ACC Lent 2020 #acclife

Saturday, April 11th, 2020

Photo-a-Day Challenge Word for today is: WAIT

Hello friends—

When I read the word for today, my mind filled with lots of things related to waiting. The video I posted is from a minor accident I was in this past winter. If you look closely, the clock shows 6:13. It was early one morning and I was driving to pick up my aunt for a doctors appointment. I was only about 5 miles from her house when I slid into a small ditch. I was so upset with myself for not being more careful. Luckily I have a cousin with a garage and towing service! Thank God, no injuries and no damages to the car or the ditch! So after all this I was still able to pick my aunt up and make it to the appointment only to find out it was cancelled due to the weather. Have you ever heard if the term,”Hurry up and wait.” That’s exactly how I felt that day. Did you know the phrase can be found in the dictionary? I googled it and this is what I found:

That was a fun story to tell about waiting.

To a more poignant story of waiting is the very first Easter weekend, so long ago. Today I exchanged text messages with a friend and we talked about how this year will be so different compared to past Easter celebrations. No family gathering with a meal and time spent with loved ones because the majority of people around the world are dealing with COVID-19 and social isolation. I began to think about how the disciples must have dealt with their first Easter weekend. They too were experiencing a different kind of Passover celebration from previous years gone by. Their teacher, their friend and their Lord had just been crucified, killed and sealed in a tomb. I am picturing John, Mary, the mother of Jesus and her sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene standing at the foot of the cross watching the horrible crucifixion of their beloved. Not only did they watch but had to wait to receive Jesus’ body for a proper burial. Such loss is unimaginable. I am sure they experienced many emotions over that weekend. Yes, this year is going to be different and even difficult, I strongly suggest to dwell in the memories of the past and plan for meaningful times in the future. Know that you are not alone, you are never alone because of the cross and Jesus’ victory over death. I invite you to image what that Friday night and Saturday were like so long ago…can you fathom just how much Jesus loves you? We know the rest of the story, don’t rush to Sunday, live into Saturday, seek God and the Holy Spirit to sustain you and when Sunday comes let loose, Christ is RISEN!

Friends, it has been a joy to share this Lenten season with you. May God cover you with His everlasting Love now and forevermore. ~Peace

ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed the below. 

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️☀️

References:

https://disciples.org/

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm