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...

Suffer and Be Strong

 “Stars” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)

THE NIGHT is come, but not too soon; 

And sinking silently, 

All silently, the little moon 

Drops down behind the sky. 

There is no light in earth or heaven 

But the cold light of stars; 

And the first watch of night is given 

To the red planet Mars. 

Is it the tender star of love? 

The star of love and dreams? 

Oh no! from that blue tent above 

A hero’s armor gleams. 

And earnest thoughts within me rise, 

When I behold afar, 

Suspended in the evening skies, 

The shield of that red star. 

O star of strength! I see thee stand 

And smile upon my pain; 

Thou beckonest with thy mailed hand, 

And I am strong again. 

Within my breast there is no light 

But the cold light of stars; 

I give the first watch of the night 

To the red planet Mars. 

The star of the unconquered will, 

He rises in my breast, 

Serene, and resolute, and still, 

And calm, and self-possessed. 

And thou, too, whosoe’er thou art, 

That readest this brief psalm, 

As one by one thy hopes depart, 

Be resolute and calm. 

Oh, fear not in a world like this, 

And thou shalt know erelong, 

Know how sublime a thing it is 

To suffer and be strong.

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