Goodbye for now…

Good morning, good morning, good morning.

Whew. It is so good to be writing to you this morning.

If you haven’t noticed the last few posts were older posts. It isn’t that I did not want to write…I just did not have it in me to write for the past week or so.

On Easter Sunday, our beloved doggie, companion, and best friend, went to be with Jesus.

Bo was just shy of 8 years old.

It was a complete and utter shock to all of us.

Looking back on that day, there were many God stories that tied it all together, even through the grief.

One being, my whole family, all four of us, were together. This is a rare occasion these days.

Since it was Easter, both kids were home. Thankfully.

We all went to the emergency vet together, and we all cried puddles of tears together in that animal hospital.

The loss of Bo has been harder than I imagined.

He was my constant.

He was my best buddy.

He was loyal and loved us all unconditionally.

Yes, he was an absolute MESS at times, as many who knew him can attest to. :)

However, the JOY he brought our family was a gift from God.

In this time of sadness and missing him so much, I cling to gratitude. I am so thankful for the time we had with him.

One day shortly after his death, I was crying to a friend. I told her I wish I could just fast forward a few months until this pain was over. My heart was literally hurting. My tears were non-stop.

My wise friend said, “Don’t rush through the grief, Jill. You will heal better and faster if you let yourself grieve. Sit in your grief.”

She was so very right.

We are a culture of people that do not like to wait. We do not like to sit. We do not like for anything to take a long time.

We want it, and we want it now.

Yet, I have found there are sweet treasures in the sitting and the waiting.

Jesus is very near.

“He is close to the brokenhearted” Psalm 34:18

I have learned that it is okay to feel broken and dependent on others prayers.

I have learned that it is okay to let others carry the burden of sadness with me.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Empathy and compassion take on a whole new meaning when you experience grief of any kind.

When we walk through valleys, our antennas are up for others who are suffering. We are drawn to them like magnets, because we know. We know how they feel.

I have also learned to soak in Creation even more. Listen to the birds sing their morning glory. Watch squirrels and rabbits tumble along in my backyard. Notice the magnificent colors of the blooming spring flowers around me.

It is all God’s glorious Creation. And, it is all a gift.

A gift to notice. A gift to enjoy. A gift to be grateful for. A gift to bring joy and contentment to our lives.

God is the Giver of all things.

We just don’t often take the time to notice and relish in it.

This past week, I have sat and I have noticed.

I have cried and I have laughed and I have cried some more.

Each day, the pain lessens a little more.

However, I don’t want to forget this pain. I want to remember how I felt in this season. I want to be a friend to others in valleys of sadness.

I want to remember that it takes time for a heart to heal, and to not rush through or expect others to rush through the process.

Every experience we go through, if we allow Him to, God will do something good. He will bring a miracle from our suffering. He will strengthen us in new ways. He will bring beauty from ashes….

To all who mourn in Israel,

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,

a joyous blessing instead of mourning,

festive praise instead of despair.

In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks

that the Lord has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3

Friend, I know many of you are going through and have been through deep valleys of suffering.

As I type, I am lifting you up to The Lord for comfort and peace. I am asking Him to wash you over in His Peace. I am asking Him to quiet you with His love.

As believers we have this hope….that the end will be better than the beginning. (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

And also…

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

I love you so much,

jill