According to HelpGuide.org, bereavement is the grief and mourning experience following the death of someone important to you.
It is true that we do not know or realize how much we miss a person until they have departed this life. There are occasions when the grieving process is more prevalent than others. Maybe the deceased loved one was always there for us, but now we miss them so much that we can’t help but grieve. Sometimes the grieving is internal and other times it is external. The internal grieving may be done in silence or private, but the external is when you must share your feelings and emotions with someone else. You just let it all hang out as to how much you miss a particular person. In my opinion, either way is healthy and comforting.
The reason I write this is because I recently realized how much I missed two of the best friends that I had in my life. A friend so close that conversation time was carved out each and every day. The internal grieving takes place when you come to the realization that the appointed conversation time and seeing the person is no longer accessible. The deceased friends are no longer available to us. When we need someone to share those private and personal matters with, those persons may not exist. No one can replace those very special people in our lives. Even though the deceased loved ones are not here to respond to our times of difficulties, it causes us to have more communication with God.
All of us grieve differently. Some may lose a loved one and readily move on to the next chapter of their life in a short span of time. Others never stop grieving, for their ties and bonds were so strong that it is almost impossible to let go. Whatever the case might be, our responsibility is to respect wherever those persons are on their journey towards healing.
Death is inevitable, and we know that all of us will experience it one day. However, it still pains us when that time comes for someone near and dear to us. One of the saddest places we could take ourselves is into a state of depression or unrest. May we find comfort in the precious memories, for that is all we have to hold onto, other than the right hand of a compassionate God.
It is a wonderful feeling looking back on the lives of our loved ones and the beautiful relationships we had with them. Regardless of how hard we try, those genuine and transparent relationships with our deceased loved ones may never be the same with anyone else. Be thankful that God placed special people in our lives for a season. Let’s be thankful that one day we will see them again.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 says, “We do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death. God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” This means that when Christ returns, the dead in Christ will rise first, and believers who remain will be caught up to meet Him, so we will be together forever.
Romans 8:38-39 assures us, “Neither death nor life will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This eternal bond with God includes the reunion of believers.
The above passages of scripture comforts us when we mourn, reminding us that this period of separation is temporary. Think of death as a passage to a place of eternal joy.
It is true that too often we listen to music but we do not pay attention to the lyrics. One writer put it this way, “When you are happy, you enjoy the music, but when you are sad, you understand the lyrics.” Frank Ocean.
Strong and close relationships, be it in marriage, bonds of friendship, relatives, etc. are difficult to build and acquire. So, if you cherish the relationships you have with persons you love so dearly, let them know how much you love and appreciate them before it is too late.
Just my thoughts!
Robert Earl Slade
