Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
The other day I was scrolling through my feed on Facebook. Many of the posts were how people were trying to stay connected with each other, how they “scored” a prized item at the grocery store, and how they were juggling working from home and learning this whole new thing called distance learning. But one post stuck out to me. It was different from all the rest. This post was about the loss they have felt due to the coronavirus.
I have been so caught up in making sure that I am connecting with people and that needs are being met that I hadn’t really thought about the grief this pandemic has caused. The loss of lives is obvious, and I have thought and prayed for all who have experienced such grief. But this post caused me to pause and to think about the other losses that people have experienced.
There have been school concerts that won’t happen, driving tests for your first driver’s license, proms, graduations, sister retreats and teachers who have had their classes abruptly ended. Each person’s losses are as unique as the person experiencing the loss. There are all kinds of grief and we are all experiencing some degree of it. All the mixtures of emotions that we are feeling are real and valid.
While we are all experiencing losses, both big and small, it isimportant to remember that there will be healing. It just takes time. And in that time of healing, God is patient; and no matter how long it takes, God will be by your side through it all. God Beside, asong from Stephen Fischbacher of Fischy Music says it best:
God behind, God beside, God ahead
In the sunshine and the rain
In the laughter and the pain
With us in the morning
With us in the day
With us in the evening
Always, always, always
God was with us before the pandemic. God is with us as we navigate through the emotions and the losses of this pandemic. God will be with us through the healing. God is with us always, always, always.
Loving God, your presence brings comfort in this time when many are struggling with feelings of loss. Surround us with your strength and help us be patient as we move through the process of grieving. Help us to keep our eyes open to others who are grieving so that we may comfort them. We thank you for always being by our side. Amen
Marty