Lifes Hard Knocks - January 2008

Sometimes life deals us a crisis or tragedy so suddenly that it leaves us reeling. After the initial shock and dealing with the crisis itself, then we have to pick up the pieces of our life and reinvent it, because some huge part of our previous purpose is now gone or utterly altered. I think of the local family who will bury their 22 year old son this week - a car accident took his life. What waits for us on the other side of that chasm - once the shock wears off, friends and family have given us hugs and comfort, and we need to return to what will become our new "normal" life?

Grief is a long slow process. And for people tasting the ashes of dead and disappointed dreams - how long before they are able to focus their energy on a different dream, a different purpose? Especially when your energy is depleted by sorrow and loss?

My own family has suffered this type of loss in the last few weeks, and I am writing this from near the bottom of the pit, looking up and knowing that the path upward will be long and hard. Yet, grief is still a process through which God intends us to walk, not alone, but with the sure knowledge that good still exists in the world, that it is love for one another that provides us with meaning and that even when another person close to us has betrayed our trust and love, that God so loved us that He sent His only Son.

And so we step out in faith, not knowing exactly where the path will lead, but believing that it is where God needs us to be. Remembering that Jesus too, understands and experienced human suffering and the sting of betrayal. Resolving not to let pain and disappointment harden our hearts, but instead to shape us into people who can serve God's people in a better way, having tasted loss and sorrow ourselves.

At times like this, the words we say after communion resound for me:

Eternal God, heavenly Father,
you have graciously accepted us as living members
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,
and you have fed us with spiritual food
in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
Send us now into the world in peace,
and grant us strength and courage
to love and serve you
with gladness and singleness of heart;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

This article was submitted by Mary

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