GRIEF

grief |ɡrēf| noun deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone's death: She was overcome with grief.

Grief is never easy. I lost my father last year–and I still miss him. Watching his health slowly failing over his last few months on earth was one of the most difficult seasons I’ve ever walked through. There really are no words to express grief or the emotions you feel when you lose someone you love. It was an honor to be with my dad on his last day on earth, and it continues to be as we celebrate the legacy he left behind.  

In times of grief and in seasons of loss, I am so grateful for the strength of God to lean on. He holds us up when we can’t stand. He bears the weight when we have no strength to carry anything on our own. I have not lost my father, he has simply moved to a better place. He is not gone. He has just crossed over to a better life.

God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children and it is kept in heaven. This world is not our home. We look forward to our city in heaven, our new home where we will have new bodies. There will be land, animals, trees, many rooms, and God alone will be the temple we worship in. There will be walls of pearls and the city will be made of pure gold like a sea of clear glass. The walls will be made of jasper and adorned with every type of precious stone (Revelation 21:18). Heaven is a real place, it is where God lives, and it was designed for us to share with Him.

Seasons of grief are difficult, but they can also be full of gratitude and appreciation if we allow them to be. God has a plan to meet every need and restore our faith and joy. I do not believe in coincidences. I believe that God is in control of all things. From this day on, I will fight harder because I know His spirit lives in me. I know there is nothing I could have ever done that would have caused my father to love me any less...and I know that is exactly how God loves each of us.

In the Bible, Paul often referred to God as “Father.” God promises that He will give us beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). I’m so grateful that God has given me a Spiritual father, an amazing family, and many friends who speak life over me. When we experience seasons of grief, it’s important to remember that we are not in this world alone.

None of us know how much time we have to live, but what we do know is that He promises to wipe every tear from our eyes. Our hope is in heaven, where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain—for the old things will pass away. God loves us and has the power to keep hope alive in us and to strengthen our faith! Our part is to make the most of our time–today and always.

So, let’s strive to be more selfless and kind, more giving, more loving, and more accepting–more like Jesus.

I am praying for all who are grieving any loss today–that the Holy Spirit would comfort us, strengthen us, heal us, and fortify us with all of His might, diligence, and long-suffering. The glory of the Lord is upon us. This is why we have the Holy Spirit—to give us peace in times like these. This is why He filled us—to strengthen us in moments like this. We will receive God’s power and He will be glorified, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Time is something I do not take for granted. It is the most precious thing we have. Once it’s gone, it's gone forever. You can get a lot of things back—but time is not one of them. Sharing a poem that I read at my father’s funeral last year. It has always inspired and motivated me, and I pray it encourages you today.

XO-

Sabrina

The Dash  

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her casket from beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears,

but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth

and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard; Are there things you would like to change?

For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what is true and real

and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives like we have never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,

Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash…

Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?