Life isn’t always a bed of roses. Into every life, a little rain must fall. How do you flourish in the times of grief, sorrow and tears? That is what this month’s newsletter is all about. Even through the tears we can flourish in our relationship with Him.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
It seems very natural that we would flourish in the seasons of joy and the happy times in our lives. Joyfulness and happiness just seem to lend themselves to growth and beauty. We don’t typically couple flourishing with words like grief, sorrow, and tears. However, as children of God, we know that when our lives are rooted deep in Christ, we can flourish despite the season we find ourselves in. It may take a little more reliance on God and less on self. It may take many moments of contemplation and seeking God but flourishing in the tearful season is possible. It most certainly has much to do with our perspective. As believers, if we look at a healthy perspective as our “up look”, how we view God in the seasons of our lives as well as our “outlook”, the things that are happening in and around us, our lives would be so much more blessed and balanced.
We would be so much better served if we viewed the seasons of our lives as opportunities to flourish, rather than always questioning why. It’s natural for us to ask questions and I’m grateful that God is never thrown off course with my questioning. He created me, He knows me, and He knows the types of questions I will ask and the things in my life that will cause me to question. The real beauty I find in serving God is that he can take all the seasons of my life and create his beautiful masterpiece! I give him my joys, happy moments, ordinary moments, contentment, peaceful moments, busyness, my valley seasons and like a patch work quilt, he puts all the pieces together and our lives become a thing of beauty. How good God is!
“God is never thrown off course with my questioning. He created me, He knows me, and He knows the types of questions I will ask and the things in my life that will cause me to question.”
Colonel Genevera Vincent
Less than two weeks after I moved here to the Western territory, a very precious aunt, who is more like a second mom to me was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Just five weeks after she was diagnosed, she was Promoted to Glory. During the weeks following her diagnosis, I will admit I asked some questions of God. Why, after six years living only one hour away from her, is she taken away so quickly when I am on the other side of the continent? In this time of sorrow and grief however, I have been grateful for Facetime, which a few years ago would not have been a possibility. So, I had the opportunity to Facetime with my Aunt Becky and tell her how much she meant to me, how much I loved her. I was able to pray with her.
My flourishing during this time has really been tied to memories. Memories of my growing up years and the love and nurturing I received from my aunt. She gave her heart to God as a child and for her 81 years she loved God and it showed! In addition to many positive childhood memories, I also have memories of heart-to-heart conversations after I became an adult, these I cherish. My parents and my aunt, prior to her passing, lived in a senior’s residence not in the town they lived in and raised their families. However, family homes still exist and this past summer, I was able to enjoy three weeks in our family home with my parents; with my cousin in the house next door with my aunt. We shared many lovely moments, sharing meals, sitting on the patio, enjoying the sunshine and good conversations and a few…well, maybe more than a few good laughs! I realize now what a gift God gave us, as this was the last time we would physically be together. In that tearful season, God has been showing how faithful he is!
The Scriptures give us many beautiful pictures of God. I think none more beautiful though, than a God who keeps account of our tears. Psalm 56:8, in the Message paraphrase reads, “You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.”
That verse encourages me to believe that none of the seasons of my life are wasted. God is constantly at work, using the joyful seasons as well as the tearful seasons to shape me and make my life to flourish. May God help me always to recognize him in every moment of my life!
https://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fa-barboza-yRB81uWKK-M-unsplash-scaled.jpg25601707Beth Desplanckehttps://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/uswLogo-300x75-300x75.pngBeth Desplancke2023-04-17 11:18:582023-04-17 11:21:06Flourishing in the Tearful Season
By Lt. Colonel Sherryl Van Cleef (Retired) North West Valley, AZ Corps – Southwest Division
“And my God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (KJV) is the first of three individual yet connected verses from God’s Word that have provided the foundation for how God is growing me in my season of grief.
The second was given me at 6:00 a.m., July 8, 2019, and at the time seemed like a very strange verse for the occasion: Psalm 90:1-2 (NIV) “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
The third verse was given me specifically for the events of July 2019: Psalm 91:1 (NLT) “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
THE PREAMBLE
In my late teens I became aware God was calling me to serve Him as a Salvation Army officer. It was in those days of questions and searching for understanding God gave me Philippians 4:19. It’s been a significant life-verse.
From the time that I became aware that Philippians 4:19 was for every area of my life, I have been discovering “all” means “ALL”! It meant “all” as God’s plan for me to be a Salvation Army officer unfolded. It meant “all” when He provided me a wonderful partner in ministry. It meant “all” as God gave us children and guided us in their rearing. It meant “all” in equipping us mentally and spiritually for the roles to which He called us! In short, “all means ALL!” To this very moment God IS the supplier of ALL my needs, including those for this journey through grief.
“THE” JOURNEY BEGINS
One of the thoughts that first came to mind when asked to prepare these devotional thoughts was that grief is probably the most common human event: everyone grieves at some point in life. And yet, grief somehow seems very solitary…like you’re the only one experiencing it. The reason for that is that grieving is a unique journey, marked by the myriad circumstances of each person.
At 6:00 a.m., July 8, 2019, the most terrifying day of my life, in a hospital emergency room the Lord gave me these words: Psalm 90:1-2 (NIV) “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Our son was visiting and earlier that morning he had left to go meet his daughter at the airport. Just after his departure I heard my husband screaming out, “I can’t move!” I’ve never awakened faster! I was at his side just as quickly, and almost without thinking I called 911 because I was profoundly aware “this” was way beyond me! Within minutes of his admission to the ER, the doctors, shared that he was in desperate straits… that he very possibly could die! That was the moment God gave me those verses — the profound, unspeakable assurance that I could trust Him with whatever happened in those minutes and hours!
I cried out to the Lord, “I’m not ready for him to be gone—please don’t let Al die right now!” All the while those words of who HE is kept repeating in my brain and heart!
Shortened version of the story is that Al had surgery and after 47 days of hospitalization and rehab returned home! What a precious gift that was! The ensuing months included many doctor appointments and learning new ways to “do” life. “Normal” was redefined. It included doing simple things together, enjoying each other’s company.
Also, God reminded me of my earlier prayer, that I wasn’t ready. Now was the time to “get ready.” That preparation included learning to manage our finances, keeping up our home, accessing community resources and, speaking with medical professionals realistically.
It was in those days from July 2019 to March 7, 2021, that God refreshed and reassured me often with the words of Psalm 91:1 (NLT) “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
“THE JOURNEY UNFOLDS”
I have “lived” in the shelter of the Most High since I was a young girl. In the weeks and months of this grief journey, begun on March 7, 2021, I have LIVED in that Shelter, not unlike the way that we live in our homes.
Truth be told, when it comes to living in my home, some might say I am a bit OCD. I like everything to be in its place. At the beginning of this grief journey, I wanted to understand how it would proceed and when I could expect to be “done”. But this journey of grief can’t be ordered and put into a tidy box. This was very disconcerting to me. Just when I thought, “I’ve got this under control.” WHAMEE ! I’m ambushed with floods of tears, seemingly from nowhere. I’ve learned that the tears, even the ambush tears, help my healing, so I let them happen. As a result “Living in the Shelter of the Almighty” I’ve come to really KNOW THE REALITY OF HIS REST!
As with every turn in life’s journey there has been/is much to observe and learn along the way. God is always true to His promises, He supplies ALL that is needed to navigate the twists and turns. I have gained a new appreciation and understanding of The Psalms; those songs in Scripture that record for our benefit the experiences of fear, anxiety, anger, fear and joy, wonder and awe of the God we serve and who loves us beyond our comprehension. I’ve learned with fresh awareness that staying in God’s Word keeps me steady and able to move forward in this journey, not necessarily through some in-depth study, but reading slowly and absorbing all God has to tell us about Him and us. Writing in a journal daily has been of great value to me as well; allowing me to get the words out of my head and on to paper.
I’ve learned a lot about being honest with myself, about not only letting, but inviting the help and support of other people. God has gifted me with an incredible family, and equally incredible friends, without whom this journey would be more difficult. He has placed people in my life who have helped me beyond their knowing. I’ve also become aware of a variety of Christ-centered resources. Journeying through Grief, produced by Stephen Ministries affirmed that my journey is not unusual, with suggestions for ways of thinking and doing. One of my friends made me aware of an international bible-based grief recovery support, GriefShare, and this group is a big help and blessing.
It’s a little over two years since this part of life’s journey began for me. I have learned these words: of “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations,” (Psalm 90:1 NIV) “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty,” (Psalm 91:1 NLT) and “… my God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 KJV) are certain truths. I can live in them joyfully
Lt. Colonel Sherryl Van Cleef
Resources:
Stephen Ministries 2045 Innerbeelt Business Center Drive St. Louis, Missouri 63114 (314)428-2600
