October 31, 2021
Grief
At the grave of his friend Lazarus, Jesus wept.
Grief floods us,
From the depths of our memory-rivers,
With pain and longing
For one more word, one more moment,
One more embrace.
Grief angers us,
For the losses, the adjustments,
The aching change, and the loneliness
Are uninvited and unwelcome visitors to our daily lives.
Grief engulfs us
With homesickness for loved ones,
And for their new dwelling place – heaven-
God’s true home for our hearts.
Grief reminds us that this life is a mist that disappears,
But is still to be treasured, lived fully and well;
While up ahead, eternity with God stretches out secure and bright.
Grief reassures us that our imperfect human connections matter,
And these good investments yield both joy and pain-
Feelings that walk hand in hand with loving others.
At their graves, Jesus weeps with us.
©2018, Linda Neff
