The other week I sat resting by a log, contemplating life with a cuppa, under magnificent beech trees (excellent place for fungi btw…). Crows cawed, wind ruffled the branches and I watched leaves spiraling down onto the damp woodland floor.As I sat, I pondered the changing seasons and couldn’t help wondering about some friends who’ve recently passed away. What’s happened to them? Where are they now?
And how, as humans, do we deal with loss? What does it mean to grieve?
As the leaves fell I wondered, “Is that it? Is that the end of the tree? And as our own leaves fall is that the end of us?”
Of course not.
In nature, loss and death allow rebirth and life. They’re necessary for a new awakening…
As autumn progresses everything within a tree slows down – metabolism, energy consumption and growth. It sheds it’s leaves as part of this process, as they’re no longer needed to make food. Instead the unwanted leaves left rotting below decay and enrich the soil. Ready for spring, when the dead parts of the organism play their part in its ‘rebirth’ as roots draw up nutrients to feed the tree.
Only because there’s death is there also new life for a tree. And it’s true for us too…
For followers of Christ death is not the end. Jesus said:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” – John 11:25 (NIV)
My friends, as fellow Christian’s, are already enjoying eternity with God. And that day in the woods the whole of creation was singing “Hallelujah!” for them:
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures for ever.” – Psalm 100:4-5 (NIV)
But grief is still hard, whether you’re the one going through it or supporting another who is…
How do you get over the death of a loved one? Can you (or should you) ever get over it? And maybe it’s not the loss of a person but something else like declining health, chronic illness or unexpected redundancy that you’re finding difficult.
Whatever it is, God gave us emotions for a reason. And it’s essential that we never minimise grief’s impact. Even Jesus wept over Lazarus (John 11:35).
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with loss, and you don’t know what to do or say, perhaps this will help: what to say to someone who’s grieving. You can share it with others so they can support you, or it may help you to be there for them.
Either way, Jesus called us to carry one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2). So let’s be those who do 😊
God bless xx
If you enjoyed this post and know others who will benefit, please share. Here’s the link: https://creationlifeadventure.co.uk/2021/12/grief-and-loss-lets-carry-one-anothers/