living loved

I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. – Jeremiah 31:13

Someone once told me that grief is like a tidal wave. One minute the waves of emotion are calm and serene – then suddenly those waves are crashing down and swirling all around, and you are drowning in a wave of grief.

As we approach the four year anniversary of my momma’s sweet return to the Father, I can’t help but think about grief. Four years later, I find myself in a different stage of grief. I am not mourning my momma, although, I always miss her. I know my grief has changed, and it’s a good grief. One that is filled with sadness because I cannot just call her when I want, but also joy because she found the love of her life in Christ and found the peace she so desperately needed. The tidal waves aren’t as strong as they used to be, but I still feel the pull of the harsh undercurrent.

This harsh undercurrent made me think of other grief we naturally experience in this life. We not only feel grief in times of the loss of life, but we can also experience grief when we face change. That change may be with work, your children (would they please stop growing), your spouse, or maybe a shift in friendships and relationships. And we do what is natural when we feel the tug of loss, we pull harder in attempt to save that which we are losing. We don’t like when the current shifts. We like the calm and serene ocean of an unchanging life – maybe not stagnant but calm nonetheless.

But here’s the thing about pulling against the current…it’s tough. It’s exhausting. And, eventually, you lose. Rather than fight the change, what if we embraced the changing tide? What if we swam with the current and allowed it to shape, mold, and place us safely ashore (but maybe with different shells and scenery)?

Maybe, God needs you somewhere else on that shore. And maybe, He needs all those you are clinging to somewhere else, too. Maybe He will make good on His promises to turn your sorrow to joy if you just let Him. Let Him fill the void. Let Him bring the healing. Allow Him to make all things new (emotionally, spiritually, relationally – ALL OF IT).

If we truly trust in God’s goodness and His good and perfect plan for our lives, can we trust Him in the current of change? Can He be enough in the tidal waves of grief when we mourn whatever it is we are losing? Can we swim with Him and not against His current and trust that He will, in fact, place us safely on that shore (life jacket and all)?

Whether you are swimming, floating, or feel like your drowning, let go & let God save you from whatever current you’re in – He will turn all of your sorrow to joy.

XOXO, Loni