8th of May- Oh, Happy Day! We celebrate Mother's day this Sunday, May 13. On the 8th of May 2018, both of my daughters got word to us that they each experienced the joy of their child moving within them. Neither daughter was aware of the other's report. What a blessing for us (future grandparents) to hear of the development and growth of these tiny humans. I can't wait to see them, to love on them, to spoil them! This Mother's Day, and Mother's Day 2019, will be extra special for this family! We love and miss our Mom's who have gone to heaven before us, but we eagerly await the arrival of these new ones. Thank you, Lord, for what has been and what is to come!
6th of June, 2018 - Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:13,14 NIV
Composing my grandson's funeral message is never what I would have planned for my "to do list" today.
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15 NIV
I am very curious to know what God's will is in this... His reasons... His plan.
The next person that tells me, "God knows what is best/It's God's will" is getting a broken nose, or teeth knocked out, or a bloody lip.
Over the years, dealing with cancer and the death of so many of my family members has given me the ability to help others going through the same situation. We learn from our experience.
Losing grandchildren is new to me. Thankfully, I have not had this experience before. I am trying to learn from it, and I want to share what I'm learning so that you may be more of a comfort to others.
As Christians, we know that God knows best. Just because this is true, it may not be the right time for this truth to be spoken out loud. Not if you want to be of comfort.
When you tell me God knows best, all I hear is God knew it was best for your daughter not to know the love of a growing child. To experience the joy of a growing toddler. For that child to tell her momma, "I love you!"
When you tell me God knows what is best, all I'm hearing is that God knew it was best for your wife not to be a grandmother, for her not to love a grandchild and help him to grow to adulthood and share life's experiences.
When you tell me this truth, and now is NOT the time, all you do is make it hurt worse. I could go on, but I believe you get my point.
The best words of comfort I have heard are: "I'm praying for your family." "I'm crying with your family." Perhaps the best line has been- "There are no words," accompanied by a hug.
If your first thought is to tell me, "This is God's will" or "God knows best" please hold your tongue and use one of the three phrases above instead, or don't say anything at all.
Hopefully, time will help the healing process. There will come a day when "God knows best" will be perfectly fine. If you haven't experienced this situation yourself, you may not know that even though it is true, now is not the time for that phrase to be comforting.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
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