The absence of the regular pastor was the occasion of my speaking at the little rural church. A dozen in attendance made for a good day. I knew of the losses of loved ones in some of the families who might be present.
I wanted to do something helpful for those families. Obituaries were available online. I pulled information into a format that would be helpful in organizing and presenting. I also took a new look at the 23rd Psalm.
“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Thy rod and Thy staff, they comforteth me.” We are visitors, not residents, in the valley of sorrow. In our sorrow, we receive comfort.
We sang, “Savior, like a shepherd, lead us, much we need Thy tender care,” and “Just when I need Him, Jesus is near, just when I falter, just when I fear.” We voiced our faith, singing without an instrument.
Three tips for grieving closed the service. (1) Give yourself permission to grieve. (2) Remember the loved one lost with honesty—the good and the not so good. (3) Keep moving. We are valley visitors, not residents.
Oh, yes, our frame of reference was the answer to that ever present question, “Why are we here?” The answer? To honor and praise the Creator Who placed us here and to serve Him–by serving others.
No life experience, including the grieving of loss, is to divert us from that purpose.
Words and People 