When a friend grieves, we all hurt.

This was written some years back after the drowning death of little Haylee Mazzella, the granddaughter of my dear friends Dr. Buford and Bonnie Easley.  I came across it this week, handwritten hastily, in an old file.  I have no idea whether I ever shared it with the family or not. The grandfather is now in Heaven, alongside our wonderful Lord Jesus and Buford’s precious granddaughter.  My heart still hurts from the memory.

If our grief could ease just a sliver of your grief, you would have none left because so many friends are sorrowing for you today.

If our tears could dry your tears, you would weep no more, because so many are heartbroken for you today.

If our pain could erase yours, you would never against experience a moment’s discomfort the rest of your life, because so many are hurting for you today.

If our prayers could bring your child back, she would be with us this very moment because so many are interceding for you today.

If our grief could ease your grief, our tears dry your tears, our pain erase your pain, and our prayers undo this tragedy, it would be done in a heartbeat.

This is not how life happens, unfortunately.  But we need to say to you…

–If you are angry, God understands.

–If you feel forsaken by Him, remember that Jesus knows how you feel.  On the cross, He cried, “My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”

–If your pain is such you don’t want to be comforted today, just know that He understands, and when you are ready, He will be there.

We know so little about the mystery of pain.  Why He allows it, why we go through it, how He uses it.

Billy Graham said in the New Orleans arena following Hurricane Katrina, “Jesus Christ is a poor shelter from the storms of life; but He is a perfect shelter in life’s storms.”

He will not keep us from life’s pain.  He will go through it with us and bear it with us.  And someday, He will tell us why.

Until then, we will walk by faith.

Jesus watched as the crowds deserted Him.  Turning to the twelve, He said, “How about you?  Will you go away too?”  Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  Thou hast the words of life.” (John 6)

We do not turn to Jesus because He is the best of many choices.  We look to Him because He is the only choice, the only Savior. Beside Him, there is none else.

Jesus is Lord.  And the only Lord there is.

3 thoughts on “When a friend grieves, we all hurt.

  1. Well written. Often words are scarce in times we want to comfort a grieving loved one. This gives good guidance.

  2. Thank you, I have been asked to give words of encouragement at a funeral this week and your words have encouraged my spirit and I certainly will be using some of your thoughts to encourage this family. God Bless

Leave a Reply to Donna Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.