Comments on: What Grief Looks Like

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 03:58:41 +0000

I found this post a few days after you posted when I was “googling” for grief related to brain cancer. My dad was diagnosed with stage IV brain cancer (GBM) on 12/27 and went to his eternal home in Heaven on Easter 3/27. Not only are our circumstances similar, but your words articulate things that I’ve shared with others. I’ve re-read this post more than once — while my dad was sick and since his passing. So encouraging to know that others have walked similar roads… I continue to be thankful for God’s sustaining, abundant grace that meets me with the ebb and flow of deep grief.

I hope you share more of your personal story for the encouragement of others and for the glory of our Lord.

Blessings to you!

By: Mary Kay Esswein

Mary Kay Esswein — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 05:54:11 +0000

Kelly, my heart resonates with the messiness of grief and the difficulty of finding others who understand or can go there with you. It’s a lonely path, and those you have been closest to may avoid you while unexpected distant acquaintances come alongside with precious support and prayer. The roller coaster, the fogginess,the outburst of tears at a thought or smell or song, the lack of compassion or empathy for others when your own emotions have depleted your heart,distractedness, exhaustion . . . The sting of death is real and it hurts – there isn’t a short cut around the pain but there is healing and growth in the process of working it through. You are very articulate in explaining the symptoms – not sure if there’s a Grief Share program at a church near you, but you would find the 12 week video series helpful in explaining the symptoms and gentle ways to cope and talk to God on the way to adjusting to life on earth with your dad in heaven. A book that we LOVED and have read 5 or 6 times is A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser who lost his wife, daughter and mother in a sudden crash with a drunk driver and raised his 3 surviving kids as a single dad. He’s a theology prof at Whitworth University in Washington, and his godly wisdom beautifully intersects with his brokenness to give substance and purpose to the journey with grief – you will GROW in GRACE that only suffering can produce and your tender heart will be a gift to others who need someone to hug with understanding silence when the pain is too big for words. Thanks for sharing your journey and inviting others to embrace the grief process rather than rush past the sting of death. Jesus wept with Mary and Martha and He weeps with you – lent is a good time for grieving as we lament the cost of sin and His death that gives us Life. You are a precious daughter of your earthly father and your heavenly Father! Embracing you with tears and a heart that knows the painful process of grief that eventually leads to wholeness and healing. I have a story to share – will try to send an email.! Love in Jesus, Mary Kay

By: Jean

Jean — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 15:14:42 +0000

Thank you for sharing from your heart. I wish I had found something like this when my mom passes and then 4 months later I lost my sister. Although that’s been several years ago grief is still something we have to face almost daily. God Bless You.

By: Ashney

Ashney — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 19:15:37 +0000

Thank you, Kelly, for being vulnerable and publishing this. I am one of those who shies away from asking questions in these hard times. Seeing a glimpse into your heart during this season is one of those little seeds that God births from the really hard times. The soil of your heart is good soil….He is going to make a beautiful tree from this seed! Praying for you!