Tonight I finally sat down and finished reading a book that was sent to me by a friend shortly after Hope's death. The book is called 'A Grace Disguised' by Gerald L. Sittser. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is suffering a loss or tragedy of some kind, his thoughts and reflections are very powerful.
A specific section on community in the presence of sorrow jumped out at me tonight and I wanted to share it:
"First of all, it requires a choice on the part of those who want to provide community for suffering friends. They must be willing to be changed by someone else's loss, though they might not have been directly affected by it. Good comfort requires empathy, forces adjustments, and sometimes mandates huge sacrifices. Comforters must be prepared to let the pain of another become their own and so let it transform them. They will never be the same after that decision. Their own world will be permanently altered by the presence of one who suffers. It will bring an end to detachment, control, and convenience. It will prevent them from ever thinking again that the world is a safe place full of nice people, positive experiences, and favourable circumstances."
Reading this section reminded me again of how thankful I am for the people that made that difficult decision to be our community and to be forever changed for the ordinary. Although life is no longer a "pretty" thing, there is beauty to be seen in true community. Thank you for making that sacrifice and for growing along side us.
Tucking Sadie in tonight she asked once again, "Do you think we could ask Jesus to give Hope back?" I said no. "Do you think if we wave a magic wand she might come back?" I had to say no once again. "Mommy do you think that God will give me a new sister next week then?" I answered with a more thoughtful, "well, we can ask him to do that and then see what happens!" She continues to miss her sister and longs for the comfort that I never knew a small child could bring to an older child at such a young age. I look forward to her getting older and building her own community. Right now as a family we are that community for her, but I know she is still lonely in her loss as well.
Thank you for continuing to care.
We still think of you often. We're so thankful that you have a community to lift you up and hold you. I know so many people who have been unable to find a supportive community like yours and I'm not sure what advice to give them. I think many people suffer in silence and you sharing your suffering, has as you quoted above, changed us all.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being so transparent in your grief. You have shown the world what it means to have faith in God, even in the difficult times of our life. You have made the choice to be thankful to God no matter what, and you have been a tremendous witness for us. My Mom died this past week and I am trying to live my faith, and show God's love to our family. I continue to pray for you and your family and think of you often.
ReplyDeleteContinuing to lift you up in thoughts and prayers. Your strength is inspiring and your faith in God's perfect plan is so uplifting to me. I still praise God that Hope is no longer in pain, but resting in his arms of love!!! Thank you for continuing to share.
ReplyDeleteHow you share your heart with us is such a blessing to us. We have all be shown and hopefully learned how to struggle through the worst. I pray we can keep our eyes AS FOCUSED ON GOD when we hit our lows. I continue to pray for your family. I hope someday your blogs will be put to print and many others will be inspired by Hope's journey.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing that passage, Amy. Wow, that is just so true and makes me all the more grateful for the community I have today. I'm honored to be a small part of yours. I will continue to read about and support your journey, always.
ReplyDelete