Grief

Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

The Eve of St. Agnes

 

  “ . . . And still she slept an azure-lidded sleep, 

       In blanched linen, smooth, and lavender'd, 

       While he forth from the closet brought a heap 

       Of candied apple, quince, and plum, and gourd; 

       With jellies soother than the creamy curd, 

       And lucent syrops, tinct with cinnamon; 

       Manna and dates, in argosy transferr'd 

       From Fez; and spiced dainties, every one, 

From silken Samarcand to cedar'd Lebanon. 


       These delicates he heap'd with glowing hand 

       On golden dishes and in baskets bright 

       Of wreathed silver: sumptuous they stand 

       In the retired quiet of the night, 

       Filling the chilly room with perfume light.— 

       "And now, my love, my seraph fair, awake! 

       Thou art my heaven, and I thine eremite: 

       Open thine eyes, for meek St. Agnes' sake, 

Or I shall drowse beside thee, so my soul doth ache. . . “


From “The Eve of St. Agnes” (on January 20) by John Keats, published 1820. Spend 15 minutes in the Classics!

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