Grief

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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...

Live Life

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A few days ago we finished binge watching the show “Suits” and the last three days I’ve had the song “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay stuck in my head. Thanks for that, Harvey Specter. Actually, that song as the closer was the perfect fit for the character. Anyone who knows me needs no explanation when I say when I heard the first notes of the song, I almost wept. And the song has been playing royalty free in my head for days.
 
Each month I try to focus on a concept or theme and the last five years December’s theme is “Mortality.” As Coldplay continues to reverberate in my head, it became evident how the song and the theme complement each other. “Live Life” is how the title translates, and why not?

The song captures victories and losses, heartache and acceptance. It’s a song that captures the fragility of life, and being ok with that. “I don’t always have to be on top.” There are times when you must strike while the opportunity is hot, but everything eventually cools off and grinds to a halt. Life is lived in all moments in between. Heartache and all. 

But that’s not the end. Death is not the end at all. It’s a beginning. What once was becomes something else. Until the last moment arrives, the question becomes, “are you ok with that?” Or better, “what must you do to be at peace?” Someone once said that it’s how you live and love that gives life meaning.

Maybe someone needs to know that you couldn’t have done it without them.





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