Reading · Formation Flight

Renee Davis Meyer, Alicia Brummeler, Jennifer K Nichols, Tiffani Boerio, Kami Nadeen, Julianne Elaine Clayton · Formation Flight

In early March, during the first days of Lent, we began exploring Grief. We continued through Eastertide, closing out today even as schools release and summer begins. Like grief itself, our reflections on loss do not fit neatly into one season. Grief comes in many forms, and will touch every life, during every season.

Looking back at our six varying perspectives on grief, we are reminded of two great promises: God is near the brokenhearted. And Jesus wept, so no one ever grieves alone. We invite you to revisit our reflections on grief, or catch up on any you missed via the links below.

Grief Comes Softly

Mar 9

I look for absences and name them—I miss the daily two o’clock phone call with mom, I remember my Tennessee Mimi’s laugh, I recall going to “town” to see the Christmas displays with my Texas grandmother, I remember laughing and playing dominoes with my granddad...My heart squeezes inside my chest. Tears fall. Grief nods her head and steps closer to me.

Each absence I find is filled with memories so vivid I feel like I am reliving them. In a way, I am. I am savoring those little moments. Each absence is filled with the presence of love.

Alabaster Tears

Mar 23

We put our backpacks down and wrote two, precious letters each: one for a daughter, and one for a son. Before we read our letters aloud, we nervously wondered if the familiar numbness would take over. We needed that door of tears to be opened. Somehow, we knew it was time.

Thankfully, at the first words, a key clicked in the locked door and it opened easily. It felt like a true evidence of grace.

lowercase grief

Apr 6

I’ve had my share of losses and heartaches—including a few more in the big “G” category—deep, poignant pain and loss. Mostly, though, I’ve experienced small “g” grief—the troubles and annoyances that mark life in a fallen world...

Here’s what I have discovered to be true again and again: God meets me in my grief, whether it is big or small. And God does the same for you.

Grief in the Hole

Apr 20

Grief is an old man’s wallet
bulging in my back pocket.
Day after day,
I carry it everywhere.

If Walls Could Weep

May 4

For almost nine years, you watched us live our life. The ups and downs, twists and turns of regular, ordinary days. You gave us space to grow and wrestle and change and shift from who we were then to who we are now. Like a secure cocoon, you held us close and bore witness to our becoming. Within your walls we developed greater resilience, joy, compassion, courage, and character. And as we prepare to walk out your doors one last time, we are not the same people who walked in.

Where Grief Takes Us

May 18

Grief changes us. altering our identity and changing how we see ourselves and the world. Grief gives us tunnel vision. Grief makes the world feel unsafe.

Grief is natural. Grief is unavoidable. Grief is a revelation.

What do you do with this grief?

We’d love to hear from you: Can you name the grief that has marked your journey? What has grief taught you, and how has grief formed and shaped you?

Six Perspectives on GRIEF