The following writing was sent to me by a fellow grieving dad. Even through summer of 2010 is behind us, I thought it was still a very good story to share.
What If Summer Lasted Twelve Months?
This summer of 2010 has been a really hot one in Mississippi. Yeah, I know, you’d expect hot summers in Mississippi, but this summer has really been a scorcher. It’s late August as I write these words and a few nights ago as I was standing outside in the dark, I noticed a slight change in the “feel” of the air. There was just a small hint that fall is coming. There was a little less humidity, the air was a little cooler, and as I stood looking at a beautiful full moon framed between the branches of a tall pine tree, I wondered what it would be like to have hot summer weather all year long.
Yuck, temperatures in the high nineties with a heat index well over 100 degrees, what a disaster that would be if it lasted all year long. But our benevolent Creator gave us four seasons each year and if we’ll just be patient, something different is coming in the form of a season change. I don’t know about you, but in the early stages of grief, it did seem that the onset of fall and the onset of spring would bring feelings of sadness. It was good to feel the cooler or warmer weather, but it also seemed to trigger some feelings of grief as I recognized that my daughter was no longer around to enjoy the weather change.
As we think about the blessing of season changes, we might consider the words that the Lord spoke to Job in verses one through seven of Job Chapter 38: “Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said: Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you; and you shall answer me.
Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off it’s dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” You might enjoy reading the rest of chapters 38 and 39 of Job.
In a similar vein, as part of God’s creation, we were made to be able to withstand a certain amount of physical and emotional pain. We were also “built” to be able to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Remember how especially difficult the first year or two of grief was? Some days you feel like your heart is breaking. What if we hadn’t been created with recuperative powers? What if every day for the rest of our life our feelings of sadness and grief had to be just as intense as they were in the early stages?
Let us take the time to be grateful to God not just for the wonderful season changes, but also for the ability to heal emotionally.
Written by David Haddock
Clinton, Mississippi
In loving memory of Bonnie Catherine Haddock (02/06/1985-08/13/2002)
When has this blog gone christian? You offend me sir with your
preaching.
Dark Eagle
Jody – No need to be offended. This blog is open to EVERYONE regardless of religious beliefs, ethnic background or socio-economic status. This article was sent to me by a fellow grieving dad that happens to be Christian. I feel it’s important for EVERYONE to have a voice and to express how they feel. I am more than happy to post positive messages from any grieving dad. You never know who is reading this and how a particular thought or beleif may help someone else.
Sorry you feel offended; it is not my intent to offend anyone. However, I feel it’s important to respect everyone’s experience and thoughts about grief.
Peace.
Kelly