Grief. The small awkward word seems inadequate for the weight of emotion it bears on one’s soul.
It’s defined as a multifaceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something that has died, to which a bond of affection was formed.
Multifaceted response indeed.
As a six-year-old little girl, I felt the weight of loss as my Dad cupped my chin in his large hands assuring me I would be ok but he and Mom were getting divorced.
He stepped out of our lives. For the next decade I grew up in the wake of that grief. It felt normal after a few years. The multifaceted response wasn’t stifled though. Reaching for security and stability wherever I could became the norm.
God has a way of weaving the tapestry of our lives in such a way that often keeps us guessing, ultimately seeking Him.
Dad drove back into our lives just about the time I drove off to college. Trips home were frequent as bonds were reestablished and what was lost was redeemed.
In ways that once felt like a fairytale, God indeed restored the years the locusts had eaten. A kid of divorce never dreams of seeing their parents remarry, but God’s ways are far higher than our own.
Years passed, milestones were marked, and life felt right again.
My dad held my hand as we danced my white dress swaying. What once seemed a dream was now reality.
Marriages, children and over two decades passed. God made Himself known in our lives and opened each once of our eyes to the Truth of His salvation in those years. Such grace. Such redemption.
Then the day came. I left like the six-year-old little girl again, as the weight of loss bore down on me afresh. I sat on that hospital bed and Dad cupped my chin with his large hands assuring me I would be ok, but he was going Home to Jesus and I would see him again.
He stepped out of our lives again. It has been nearly two years of navigating life with that loss. Grief, twice in one life for the same parent seems harsh.
But God turns mourning into dancing and one day, those of us in Christ, will dance dressed in white, swaying to the rhythm of redemption.
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Love that picture of Jesus turning mourning into dancing. Beautifully put
thank you! So glad it blessed you!
Mariel, in no way do I make light of losing your dad “twice” but what a joy that there was restoration before he went to glory. Our Blessed Hope. #7 xo
Yes! Such a joy to have had him back and to see him come to Jesus in those years and now know I will see him again in Glory ❤
Beautifully written! Thank you so much for sharing your story, Mariel! ❤️
Thank you!❤
A marriage healed. Life made right. May the story of your dad’s return inspire another to return home.
Let now our hearts be young and gay,
for soon enough, the pain
must come as the price we pay,
for joy may not remain
in these fallen earthly days,
lest we cease to see
the reason we must offer praise
to God, whose mastery
will give us wide and bright elation
when we attain His presence,
but ’till then, this is our station,
with loss and grief the essence,
the price which we had never dreamed
of hope that is in Him redeemed.
amen, andrew.
This brings tears, Mariel. You share your journey so tenderly, your faith so clearly. Thank you. Bless you. Karen (FMF #9)
thank you, karen, grateful it blessed you
What a beautiful post. God bless Loretta fmf #2
thank you, Loretta
We will dance with joy when we are all together again. I hold on to this so much x
amen, I do too! xo
Beautiful! Heartbreaking about the divorce and its consequences. Heartwarming about the restoration. Understanding and a virtual hug for the heavenly promotion.
Thank you for sharing your story. So vulnerable. So authentic. So beautiful.
Thank you for the kind words. Grateful it blessed you ❤️
Amen Mariel. Such a beautifully heartfelt post. Thank you for sharing. Praise be to God. Good evening blessings to you.
Visit from FMF#15
Thank you!
Mariel, This is a beautiful and raw post. Relationships with dads are tricky for sure! I pray you continue to find reasons to dance with joy. I definitely don’t dance enough! Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer! You’re so right, those relationships can be tricky for sure. Thankfully our Heavenly Father is always offering us reasons to dance ❤
Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing your story.
(Visiting from #30)
❤
What a beautiful story of redemption and grace and grief. I’m sorry you lost your dad, but so glad we have this hope :).
Thank you, friend, and yes so grateful for hope❤
What a beautiful tribute to your father! I am so glad you had the chance to reconnect before he passed. Jesus does give us the hope of an eternal reunion.
thank you, yes, amen!
So beautiful and well told. God can restore the hard and lean years and lesson our grief. Looking forward to the day when there will be no more grief. Until then, we live with one foot on grief.
thank you, yes, one foot on grief is the story of this life. Grateful that one day that will not be the case.
I love how you remind us that grief can come with loss—not only death. So many of us grieve the loss of relationship with our dads. I’m so glad you were able to restore yours before he passed. What a beautiful testimony.
Yes, isn’t it so that we carry much grief from loss that wasn’t death? Grateful God heals even those.
Mariel,
You certainly have experienced true grief – twice losing your dad. Praise that God can, and does, restore the years the locust have eaten. I know you eagerly look forward to being reunited with him once again. Beautiful post – brought me to tears…
Blessings,
Bev xx
Amen! Thank you for the kind words❤