It takes a certain amount of courage to go out into deep water at the beach. It's easy to stay in the shallows but deep water requires trust - in your own ability to swim at the very least or trust in the lifeguard to rescue you if needed.
Joining up with the writers of Five Minute Friday. Today's prompt word is TRUST.
To get to the deeper, calmer water, you have to get through the breakers. That's the hard bit. I've been dumped plenty of times trying to get to the calm waters beyond. It's a scary experience. Those breakers are powerful and unpredictable.
They say grief hits you in waves like the breakers that can knock you over, that come out of nowhere and leave you winded. It's true.
I think the sudden death of a friend is more like a tsunami - it hits without warning. I've experienced that recently.
But buried grief - that's different. Grief that was buried years, even decades, ago - that requires a deliberate walk out into the breakers.
I've been avoiding the breakers, avoiding getting dumped and potentially drowning - in grief. But twice yesterday two trusted friends, who are familiar with grief and how it works, assured me that there is calmer water beyond those first tumultuous waves, that it's worth pushing through, not turning back.
So, once again I'm given a choice to put my hand in the righteous right hand that offers to hold me up, the hand that belongs to Someone very strong, Someone very familiar with grief but also stronger than the waves.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name;
You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you..." Isa 43:1-2
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isa 41:10
Once again He calls me to push through the pain for the joy set before me, just like He did.
So it's time to face full on the grief of losing 14 babies to miscarriage, over about 18 years, and to follow Him through the breakers of the grief that threatens to overwhelm me. I have some trusted friends cheering me on, like the witnesses of Hebrews chapter 11.
But the only One who can really get me through this is Him and it's time to trust Him who has been faithful many times already.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defence; He has become my salvation.’ Isa 12:2
This song has been on repeat lately.
I will trust where You lead
I will trust when I can't see............
I will trust with all my heart
You are good, You always are
Morning by morning
Great is Your faithfulness to me
All fear be reminded
My future is secure
My Father has spoken
And He keeps His every word
Thank you for your encouraging words. I lost a dear loved one earlier this year and am also on a grief journey so your words meant a lot to me. Blessings Britta
ReplyDeleteBritta, I'm glad my words were helpful. I pray you find Him in the breakers.
DeleteI sooooo needed to read these words this morning as I head into a day that will be all about TRUSTING God for the outcome
ReplyDeleteBarb, I'm so glad these words were helpful. I pray you found Him in the breakers on the day.
DeleteBeautiful and encouraging imagery. May we trust God with all of our days and all of our grief, for He can be trusted. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteYes He can, Joanne, as I am discovering at a new level. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteGod keeps His every word-Trust- a calm assurance.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rhonda. A calm assurance is a great way to describe it. Thanks
DeleteGotta trust the shark nets,
ReplyDeletegotta trust we're winning,
otherwise, mate, all the bets are off,
and I won't be going swimming.
Gotta trust the lifeguard
with binos and a gun,
hoping he dinna try too hard
last night, at having fun.
Gotta push drongos aside
when they say that they feel
that love for sharks flows with the tide,
and you'd make a good meal,
a contribution to Shark Rights,
a small one, yeah, a couple bites.
Great poem, Andrew. I'll stay out of the real water, just go out in the metaphorical water with Him ;)
DeleteI love that image of pushing past the breakers to the calm waters behind. That is very helpful, but I'm already wondering if I have to go through them all over again on the way back too? Bless you in the grieving work you have to do with your friends and the Holy Spirit as your comforter. FMF #13
ReplyDeleteDawn, I think we're supposed to live in the 'freedom' of the water beyond the breakers, rather than being tied to the shore, if that makes sense. That's how He showed it to me. The shore seems easier and more comfortable, even if very limiting.
DeleteThank you for your beautiful post - I'll be right alongside you pushing through the breakers to deal with buried greif.
ReplyDeleteJust stopped by from FMF #21
Feeling for you, Heather. It seems buried grief has a power all its own. I pray you find Him in the breakers too. His hands are strong enough for both of us.
DeleteKath, I'm praying for the Lord to give you His comforting embrace, and abundant grace as you "face full on the grief of losing 14 babies to miscarriage, over about 18 years, and to follow Him through the breakers of the grief that threatens to overwhelm me." May you know His loving Presence all about you as you press through the breakers of grief to the freedom of the calm waters beyond. ~Lisa, FMF #2
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Lisa. I appreciate your prayers.
Delete